or observed in the Republic of Honduras, i^c. 121 



wings. Maccaws fly very high. Their flight is slower than that of 

 either of the preceding, and the motion of the wings is slow and 

 hea\'y. Still they are powerful-winged birds, and may often be 

 seen flying over a widely iu-tervening space between high moun- 

 tains. Parrots and Parrakeets are good for food ; but good cook- 

 ing is indispensable to make them palatable, and that is rarely 

 met with in Honduras. I never tasted INIaccaws ; but the natives 

 ate those I shot. 



This species measures 9 inches in length. Irides yellow, yel- 

 low skin round the eyes bare of feathers ; beak white, forehead 

 yellow, top of head blue ; upper surface of body bright green ; 

 quill-feathers bright blue, green at the bases ; under part of 

 body greenish-yellow ; tail-featliers green ; feet and legs 

 whitish. 



51. Little Green Parrakeet. {Psittovius tovi.) 



I observed flocks of this species in Tigre Island, but not near 

 the habitations. 



52. Small Green Parrot. {Chrysotis albifrons.) 



The only place where I saw this species was between Yojoa 

 and San Pedro. They were assembling in numbers at roosting- 

 time, when I procured a specimen. 



53. Yellow-naped Green Parrot. {Chrysotis auripalliata.) 

 Very plentiful in Tigre Island, but I did not observe it else- 

 where, nor did I see any large Parrots after I left the coast until 

 I arrived at Yojoa, where there is a Parrot much resembling 

 this in plumage, but rather smaller, with the yellow on the fore 

 part of the head instead of behind. They were flying in great 

 numbers towards their roosting-places, and passed close over- 

 head ; but it was unnecessary to shoot one, as I saw many in the 

 town in a state of domestication. In common with the other 

 Psittacidce, they are very noisy early in the morning and in the 

 evening. At these times they feed in the maize fields, and are 

 easily shot. In Tigre Island I have seen them fly so close to 

 the house that I could have shot them from the windows. They 

 sit on the trees like pigeons, and do not appear to be frightened 

 by the report of a gun. When they are in the tree- tops 

 it is difficult for any one standing beneath to perceive them, 



vol. II. K 



