A 



( 57 ) 



SHORT-TAILED PAROQUETS 



RE very numerous in Afiaand Afrit'a; generally build their nefts 

 at the end of branches i many cf thefe are but fmall. 



M A C K A W S 



ARE of fplendid plumage; purple, gold, and azure embellilh 

 them : they are haughty, yet may be domefticated j are peaceful, 

 gentle, and obedient ; all belong to America ; are found even in 

 deferc iflands. They are large birds, equal to a raven ; are of 

 four kinds, the red, the blue, the green, and the black. They have 

 long tai's, a naked fkin of a dirty white, which furrounds the head 

 on each fide, and beneath; alfo the bafc of the inferior mandible of the 

 bill; this is their diftinguilhing mark. In the middle ofthisfkir. are 

 the eyes, which imparts a difagrceable appearance to thefe birds. They 

 live in woods, in moid lands, among palm-trees, on whofe fruit they 

 feed, and of which are vafl: forefts in overfiowed favannas ; go in pairs, 

 rarely in flights j fometimes aflemble in the morning, and are heard 

 afar off; always cry while fiying; fly the befl: of the kind; crofs open 

 places, but never (lay ; perch on the tops of trees ; if they feek food at a 

 difl:ance (as a league) return home at night. Nefl:le in old trees, 

 enlarging fome hole in a rotten part ; breed twice a year, laying two 

 eggs, the fize of a pigeon's, fpotted like thofe of a partridge. Male 

 and female fit alternately, and jointly provide for their young, nor aban- 

 don them till well grown ; they are not the beft fpeakers among parrots ; 

 their flefn is not bad eating; are very fubject to the epilepfy ; their 

 diforder is called the cramp, and is faid to follow their fl:anding on iron 

 of any kind; their cages, therefore, fiiould be wholly made of wood. 



. THE AMAZONS 



AR E named after their native country ; they are diftinguiflied by 

 red on the end of their wings. Their green plumage is brilliant, 

 and even dazzling ; the fame is the )^eilow on their heads ; they are lefs 

 than the mackaws i arc rare, and c^ ;me only from Amazonia. They 



fly 



