66 THE RED AND BLUE MACCAW. 



which has very little if any moisture in it, is not sufficient to nourish them 

 properly, at least during the moulting season, and while the feathers are 

 growing again. I never saw a parrot in better health than one which 

 belonged to a lady, who fed it on white bread soaked in boiled milk, having 

 more milk than the bread would absorb, which the parrot drank with 

 apparent pleasure ; there was also put into the drawer of its eage some sea 

 biscuit, or white bread soaked in boiling water ; it was also given fruit 

 when in season. It is necessary to be very careful that the milk is not 

 sour. 



Some young maccaws are fed on hemp-seed, which must always be of the 

 year before, as the new would be too warm and dangerous. Yet they must 

 not be fed entirely on this food, but there must be added white bread 

 soaked in milk or water, as has already been mentioned, some fruit and 

 nuts, but never bitter almonds, as they will infallibly kill all young animals. 

 In all cases the excrements of the bird will indicate the state of its health, 

 and whether the food ought to be changed or not. 



Although maecaws rarely want to drink, as their food is very moist, yet 

 they must not be left without water, which is generally placed in one of 

 the divisions of their tin drawer. It is also a good thing to entice them to 

 bathe, nothing is more favourable to their health, or better facilitates the 

 painful operation of moulting, or keeps their feathers in better order. A 

 little attention to these favourites, deprived of their liberty, their natural 

 climate, and food, cannot be too much trouble to amiable persons who are 

 fond of them, and to whom these pretty birds become greatly attached. 



BREEDING. The red and blue maccaws build their nests in the holes of 

 old decayed trees ; they enlarge and make the hole even with their beak, 

 and line it with feathers. The female, like that of the other American 

 parrots, breeds twice in the year, laying two eggs each time, which are 

 exactly like those of the partridge. In Europe the females also lay well, 

 but the eggs are generally unfruitful ; when they are not so it is very diffi- 

 cult to make the mother sit ; there are, however, a few examples of the 

 female maccaw being so well inclined to perform this office, that she will 

 sit on pigeons 1 and hens' eggs, which are hatched in due time. 



The maccaws which we have in this country have generally been reared 

 from the nest, particularly those which speak, for the old ones would be 

 too savage and untractable, and would only stun one with their unbearable 

 cries, the faithful interpreters of their different passions. 



DISEASES. Amongst those to which maccaws are particularly subject, 

 declines are the most frequent. Some cures for this are mentioned in the 

 Introduction, which it would be well to employ. During the moulting 

 season attention must be redoubled, not only to keep them in health but 

 to preserve their beautiful plumage. 



ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. As maccaws are very dear they are generally 

 only found in the possession of rich bird-fanciers. In the centre of Ger- 

 many one costs from fifty to a hundred rix dollars, and in the maritime 

 cities thirty or forty. Their beautiful plumage forms their principal attrac- 

 tion. They also learn to repeat many words, to go and come, and also to 

 obey the least signal from their master. I confess, however, that their 



