106 GENUS MACROCERCUS. 



The next group we have to notice is that of the 

 Maccaws, or genus Macrocercus* VielL, here re- 

 stricted to the larger species, with long lanceolate 

 tails and naked orbits and cheeks. In this group 

 the bill is short but very strong, and higher than 

 long ; the upper mandible greatly arched, with the 

 tip long, and projecting far beyond the under, which 

 is massive, and meets the upper at right angles. The 

 palatine ridge is very distinct, and the inner surface 

 of the projecting tips roughened and file like. The 

 tongue is thick and soft. The wings pretty long 

 and acuminate. The feet strong, and formed for 

 grasping ; the claws falcate, the tarsi upon which they 

 partly rest are short and thick. In disposition they 

 are much less docile than the true Parrots, and can 

 rarely be taught to articulate more than a few words 

 in a harsh discordant tone ; their natural notes are 

 confined to hoarse and piercing screams. They 

 breed in the hollows of trees, laying two eggs, which 

 are said to be incubated alternately by both sexes, 



The first species figured is the 



