128 BBASILIAN GREEN MACAW. 



The general length of this Shrike is about ten inches. 

 The bill and legs are black. The upper parts of the 

 plumage are of a bluish ash-colour. The wings are 

 black, with a white band. All the under parts of the body 

 are of a dirty white. The tail is wedge-shaped, and 

 black, varied with white. 



Red-backed Shrike. In most of their habits the Red- 

 backed Shrikes resemble the last species. They generally 

 form their nests in hedges, or low bushes, laying six eggs 

 of a whitish colour, with a reddish-brown circle towards 

 the larger end. It is stated, that, when sitting on the 

 nest, the female soon discovers herself, by screaming 

 loudly at the approach of any person. 



This bird is not quite so large as the last. It is prin- 

 cipally distinguished by the back being of a grey colour, 

 by the four middle tail-feathers being uniformly gray, and 

 the bill lead-coloured. 



5. PARROT TRIBE. 



There is no tribe of birds so numerous as this. More 

 than a hundred and seventy distinct species have already 

 been ascertained. They inhabit only hot climates, where 

 they collect together in vast flocks, and, by their beautiful 

 colours, give great brilliancy to the woods which they 

 frequent. They hold the same place among birds, which 

 apes and monkeys do among quadrupeds. 



Brasilian Green Macaw. In the woods of Brasil, 

 Guiana, and Jamaica, the Brasilian Macaws are some- 

 times found in great flocks. A person walking in these 

 woods hears only their incessant screaming, but, so long 

 as they continue in the trees, he discovers nothing : their 



