92 THE PRINCE OF PARROTS, AND THE LOVE-BIRDS. 



much more splendid. He is larger than the Parrot, 

 and the flaming scarlet of his body is more striking. 

 His wings are red, yellow, blue, and green, all 

 blended in the most beautiful manner, and as vivid 

 as possible. His long, splendid tail-feathers are 

 scarlet and blue. 



The traveller, when he comes in sight of this 

 magnificent bird, feels compelled to stop and ad- 

 mire. And the Macaw would be courted and 

 caressed, like the Parrot, and perhaps have his 

 place in the houses of the great and the noble, but 

 for his voice. 



His voice is a loud harsh scream, that almost 

 deafens you, and forces you to keep him at a 

 distance. The Macaw loves to feed upon the fruit 

 of the palm-trees. A flock of these splendid birds 

 will cover the fruit-bearing boughs like a glitter- 

 ing carpet. The native takes his blow-pipe or his 

 poisoned arrow, and kills as many of them as he 

 likes. But their screams and their noise are 

 scarcely to be borne, and are enough to drive the 

 enemy away. 



Their habits are those of the Parrots. They fly 



