Vol. XXII 

 iQ°5 



Clark, Lesser Antillean Macaws. 269 



In the "Histoire Naturelle et Morale des Isles Antilles de 1' 

 Ame'rique " (1658; 1665) we find the following (p. 154, 2nd ed., 

 p. 170) : — 



"The Macaws are preeminently beautiful birds, the size of a 

 pheasant; but they resemble parrakeets in the shape of their body. 

 Their head is large, their eyes bright and bold, their beak hooked, 

 and they have a long tail composed of beautiful feathers which 

 are of different colors in the different islands where they live. 

 There is a kind which has the head, the back, and the wings pale 

 yellow, and the tail entirely red. Others have nearly the whole 

 body flame color, except that they have in their wings feathers of 

 yellow, blue, and red. Still others are found which have the 

 whole plumage a mixture of red, white, blue, green, and black ; 

 that is, five colors, which forms a very pleasing combination. 

 They commonly fly in flocks. One judges by their actions that 

 they are bold and resolute, for they are not alarmed by the report 

 of fire-arms, and if none are wounded at the first discharge, they 

 await a second without moving from the place where they are ; 

 but there are many who attribute this boldness to their natural 

 stupidity rather than to their courage. They tame very easily, 

 but their tongue is too thick to enable them to speak as well as 

 parrots and the smaller parrakeets. They are so sensitive to cold 

 that it is difficult to bring them across the sea." 



Labat (1742) says (II, p. 211): "The Macaw, which I place 

 at the head of the parrots, is the largest of all the parrot tribe, 

 either in these islands or on the mainland. It is the size of a full 

 grown fowl. The feathers of the head, neck, back, and under- 

 pays are flame color ; the wings are a mixture of blue, yellow, and 

 red; the tail, which is from fifteen to twenty inches in length, is 

 wholly red. The head and the beak are very large, and it walks 

 gravely; it talks very well, if it is taught when young; its voice 

 is strong and distinct; it is amiable and kind, and allows itself 

 to be caressed." 



He also says (II, p. 211) : "There are Macaws, Parrots and 

 Parrakeets in each of our islands, and it is easy to tell from their 

 plumage from which island they have come. Those from Guade- 

 loupe are generally larger than the others, but the parrakeets are 

 smaller." 



