124 THE BLUE A5JJ) YELLOW MACAW. 



to the Introduction. In the moulting season, it, like all Par- 

 rots, requires assiduous attention, that not only its general 

 health, but also the beauty of its plumage may be preserved. 



Attractive Qualities. The beautiful plumage forms the chief 

 recommendation of this bird ; but it may also be taught to 

 pronounce several words distinctly, to know its home, and to 

 come at its master's call. But these attractions are, perhaps, 

 counter-balanced by the awkwardness of its movements, its 

 manner of helping itself on with its beak, and its dirty habits. 

 It is also bad tempered, and must not be left alone with chil- 

 dren, as it is apt to fly at the face and eyes'. On account of its 

 dung, which is fluid and foetid, its cage must be cleaned every 

 day. 



22. THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW. 

 Psittacus Ararauna, LIN. Ara bleu, BUF. Der Wane Aras, BECH. 



Description. This bird, which is about the size of a Capon, 

 being two feet eight inches in length, is, in my opinion, handsomer 

 than the foregoing, though the colours are not so dazzling. 

 The beak is black, the feet dark ashen grey ; the cheeks flesh 

 coloured, with stripes of short black feathers in the form of an 

 S. The iris is light yellow ; the throat is surrounded by a 

 black band. The forehead as far as the crown, the sides of the 

 head, and the smaller wing coverts, are pale green. The rest 

 of the upper part of the body is a beautiful blue ; the rump 

 light blue ; the belly saffron yellow ; the shanks are orange ; 

 the wing coverts in the male, mottled with the same colour. 

 The wings and the wedge-shaped tail are a fine blue ; of the 

 latter, the two centre feathers are uniform in colour, the rest 

 are tinged on their inner edge with violet, and near the root 

 are bordered with black. The colours are subject to but little 

 variation. 



Observations. This bird is a native of Jamaica, Guiana, 

 Brazil, and Surinam. 



In its habits it agrees with the Eed and Blue Macaw, and 

 possesses the same qualifications as cage-birds. It does not, 

 however, learn to speak with equal facility, though it pro- 

 nounces the word " Jacob," and imitates the bleating of sheep, 

 the mewing of cats, and the barking of dogs, with great ease 

 and exactness. It has been noticed, as a peculiarity in this 

 bird, that it only drinks towards evening. 



