THE MACAW 415 



the imagination to fancy it endowed with life), and with fell 

 swoops is in rapid pursuit of the devoted birds, some of whom 

 are almost certain to be brought screaming to the earth. But 

 the wily savage has not yet done with them ; he avails himself 

 of the extraordinary attachment which these birds have for one 

 another, and fastening a wounded one to a tree, so that its cries 

 may induce its companions to return, he watches his opportunity, 

 by throwing his kiley or spear, to add another bird or two to 

 the booty he has already obtained." 



The magnificent Macaws, or Aras, of South America are dis- 

 tinguished by having their cheeks desti- 

 tute of feathers, and their tail feathers 

 long. Their size and splendid plumage 

 render them fit ornaments of princely 

 gardens, but their loud and piercing 

 screams would prove a great annoy- 

 ance to the inmates of humbler dwel- 

 lings. Macaw. 



" Superior in size and beauty to every parrot of South America," 

 says Waterton, " the ara {Macrocercus Macao) will force you to 

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

 him : his commanding strength ; the flaming scarlet of his body; 

 the lovely variety of red, yellow, blue, and green, in his wings ; 

 the extraordinary length of his scarlet and blue tail, seem all to 

 form and demand for him the title of emperor of all the parrots. 

 He is scarce in Demerara, till you reach the confines of the 

 Macoushi country ; there he is in vast abundance : he mostly 

 feeds on trees of the palm species. When the concourites have 

 ripe fruit on them, they are covered with this magnificent 

 parrot : he is not shy or wary ; you may take your blowpipe 

 and quiver of poisoned arrows, and kill more than you are able 

 to carry back to your hut. They are very vociferous, and, like 

 the common parrots, rise up in bodies towards sunset, and fly 

 two and two to their place of rest. It is a grand sight in 

 ornithology to see thousands of aras flying over your head, low 

 enough to let you have a full view of their flaming mantle. 

 The Indians find their flesh very good, and the feathers serve 

 for ornaments in their head-dresses. They breed in the holes 

 of trees, and are easily reared and tamed." 



The Paroquets, or Parakeets, are smaller than the common 



