THE MACAWS. 201 



old veterans. Certain it is, however, that Macaws attain the greatest age of any 

 known species of cage-bird ; it being on record, that one lived in a royal family for 

 more than a hundred and fifty years. 



The Scarlet Macaw is about two feet and three quarters long, of which more 

 than one foot belongs to the tail. His stretch of wings is enormous, being about 

 four feet. The head, throat, breast, and belly are scarlet : the feathers of the 

 neck and upper part of the back have a greenish edge, which becomes broader 

 lower down. The middle and lower regions of the back, the rump and lower tail- 

 coverts, are a beautiful sky blue ; the upper feathers of the wings are scarlet ; the 

 middle, hinder, under, and shoulder feathers green, the latter shaded with red ; 

 the front wing-coverts are ultramarine on the outer web, and on the inner pale red. 

 The same is the case with the inner wing-coverts : the middle tail-feathers are 

 more or less red, the inner web of the quills black. On the naked, flesh-colored 

 cheeks, which look as though powdered with white flour, are five or six rows of little 

 pencil-shaped red feathers, implanted near the nostrils, and ranged around the 

 eyes. The beak is very large and prominent, and is of a clear horn color, black 

 at the point and edges, as is the lower mandible : the eyes are yellowish white, the 

 feet blackish gray, and the claws brownish black. The two sexes are alike in color : 

 the young birds are more delicately tinted than the old ones. 



The Macaws are found in the swampy forests of South America, where they are 

 industriously pursued by the natives, for the purpose of making ornaments from 

 the beautiful plumage, and for the flesh, which is said to be very delicate. The 

 birds always fly in flocks, and, if separated, always pair off, the male bird ever 

 remaining by the side of his mate. 



The Blue-and- Yelloiv Macaiv is a very beautiful bird, of the same size as his 

 scarlet cousin. The prevailing colors are a handsome shade of bluish green 

 above, and orange below. He inhabits the northern parts of South America. His 

 habits are the same as the above. 



The Green Macaiv is smaller than the preceding specimens, being only two feet 

 in length. The prevailing color of the entire body is grass green ; over the fore- 

 head passes a thick band of bright red feathers ; the tail-feathers are very long, 

 being bright red at the roots, and tipped with blue. The Green Macaw is not so 

 often seen as the other two. 



Macaws should be fed, in confinement, mostly on moistened food, bread or 

 crackers soaked in milk being the main food ; they will also eat corn, nuts of all 

 kinds, and fruits, such as bananas, oranges, or apples ; they are very fond of these, 

 and should be given some daily. The food should be always kept before them, and 

 whenever eaten should be at once replenished : if not, they will make it known by 

 a succession of squawks, continued until their desires are gratified. Meat, sugar, 

 or sweetmeats are very unwholesome for them, and will cause them to pluck the 

 feathers out in such a manner as to completely destroy the plumage. This is a 

 habit due to a disease of the skin, caused from feeding as above, and when once 

 practised cannot be cured. Macaws drink but very little, owing to the moistened 

 condition of the food. They are very hardy birds, and are rarely attacked by dis- 

 ease. Diarrhoea is the principal complaint with which they are affected. When 

 this is noticed, soak the bread in sherry wine or brandy, which should be diluted 

 with water. 



