MACAWS. 491 



turning before they alight on the tops of the palms to feed. They 

 belong to the Psittacichie, or parrot tribe, and are known at 

 once by the great length of their tails, and Ijy having thciir 

 cheeks destitute of feathers. 



There are several species which frequent the trees growing 

 on wet and swampy ground. The red and Ijlue macaw, 

 the largest and handsomest of the family, is well described 

 by Waterton. Rare in size and beauty among all the parrots 

 of South America, the macrocercus macao will force j^ou to 

 take your eyes from the rest of animated nature and gaze at 

 him. His commanding strength, the flaming scarlet of his 

 body, a lovely variety of scarlet, yellow, blue, and gTeen in 

 his wings, the extraordinary length of his scarlet and l)lue 

 tail, seem all to join and demand for him the title of Emperor 

 of all the Parrots. 



When the coucourite palm-trees have ripe fruit on them, 

 they are covered with tliis magnificent parrot. He is not shy 

 or wary. You may take your blow-})ipe and a quiver of 

 poisoned arrows, and kill more than you w^ill be able to carry 

 to your hut. They are very vociferous ; and, like the common 

 parrots, rise up in bodies towards sunset, and fl}^, two and 

 two, to their places of rest. It is a grand sight to see thou- 

 sands of aras flying over your head, low enough to let you 

 have a full view of their flaming mantles. The Indians find 

 the flesh very good, and the feathers serve for ornaments in 

 their hea.d-dresses. 



Bates saw a flock feeding on the fruits of a Bacana i)alm, 

 and looking like a cluster of flaunting banners beneath its dark 

 green crown. 



They build their nests in the hollows of decayed trees, and 

 lay twice in the year — generally two eggs at a time, the male 



