402 PARROTS. 



and female alternately watching over them. They are said to 

 increase the size of the hole with their powerful beaks, should 

 it not be sufficiently large for their purpose. They fly to a 

 distance of several miles to feed, but like rooks in England 

 return to their homes in the evening. 



This macaw frequently measures, from the tip of the bill 

 to the extremity of the tail, forty inches and more. 



There are, besides, several other species of the red and 

 yellow, blue, and blue and yellow, which equal the scarlet 

 and blue in size, their habits being very similar. They are 

 easily tamed, and can be taught to repeat words, and some- 

 times even phrases. They are remarkable for their longevity, 

 some having been known to live to one hundred years. 



The magnificent great green macaw is noted for his depre- 

 dations on the maize-fields ; but, being a sagacious bird, he 

 always places a sentinel to give the alarm to his marauding 

 associates when danger approaches. 



PARROTS. 



Parrots much inferior in size and less richly decked fly 

 amid the foliage in vast numbers. The two most common 

 species are the Amazon green parrot and the festive green 

 parrot. 



Of the former (Psrttacus Amazonius) there are several 

 varieties. They have their homes in the midst of the im- 

 penetrable forests. The female lays four white eggs in the 

 hollow of a tree. The usual length is about fourteen inches. 

 The bills vary in colour ; the plumage is of a bright green, 

 with the feathers marked by dusky or blackish margins. On 

 the top or edges of the shoulders there is a brilliant scarlet 

 patch, bounded by shades of blue, green, and yellow. A 



