136 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description Gentle disposition. 



THE GREEN MACAW. 



THIS rare and beautiful bird is about seven- 

 teen inches in length. Its bill is black; and on 

 the cheeks there is a bare white patch, marked 

 with black lines, in which the eyes are placed. 

 The general colour of the plumage is green. The 

 forehead is of a chesnut purple; and the crown 

 is blue, which colour blends itself with the green 

 as it passes backwards. On the lower part of 

 the thighs, the feathers are red ; and the w ings 

 are, in different parts, crimson, blue, and black. 

 The tail is green above, near the ends blue, and 

 beneath of a dull red. The legs are brown, and 

 the claws black. 



The disposition of this bird is exceedingly gen- 

 tle. It soon becomes familiar with persons whom 

 it sees frequently, and is pleased in receiving and 

 repaying their caresses. But it has an aversion 

 to strangers; particularly to children, at whom 

 it flies with great fury. It becomes enraged at 

 seeing a young child sharing its mistress's cares- 

 ses and favours ; it tries to dart at the infant, but, 

 as its flight is short and laborious^, it can only ex- 

 hibit its displeasure by gestures and restless 

 movements, and continues to be tormented by 

 these fits till she leaves the child, and takes the 

 bird on her finger. It is then overjoyed, mur- 

 murs satisfaction, and sometimes makes a noise 

 exactly like the laugh of an old person. It is 



