384 THE RED AND BLUE MACAW. 



habits of all the species are very similar, more than a single example is not necessary. The 

 name Trichoglossus signifies "hairy tongue," and is given to these birds in consequence of the 

 structure of that member, whicli is furnished with bristly hairs like the tongue of the honey- 

 eaters, and is employed for the same purpose. This species may generally be found in those 

 bush ranges which are interspersed with lofty gum-trees, from the blossoms of which it 

 extracts the sweet juices on wliich it feeds. While emi:)loyed in feeding, it clings so tightly to 

 the blossoms, that if shot dead its feet still retain their hold. The amount of honey consumed 

 by these birds is really surprising, a teaspoonful of honey having been taken from the crop of 

 a single bird. Whenever the natives kill one of these birds, they always put its head in their 

 mouths and suck the honey out of its crop. Young birds are always very well supplied with 

 this sweet food, and are consequently in great favor with the native epicures. 



When cajitured it is readily tamed, and is sufficiently hardy to live in a cage, provided 

 that it be well supplied with sugar as well as seeds. 



It assembles in large fliocks of a thousand or more in number ; and when one of the vast 

 assemblies is seen perched on a tree, the effect is most magnificent. They are so heartily 

 intent on their food, that they cannot be induced to leave the tree even by the report of a gun 

 or the rattling of a shot among them, and at the best will only scream and go to another 

 branch. This species wiU associate with others very harmoniously, and Mr. Gould has shot 

 at a single discharge four species of Lorrikeet, all feeding in the most friendly manner upon 

 the same tree. 



The Lorrikeets are very conversational birds, and discourse in loud and excited tones, so 

 that the noise of a large flock is quite deafening. When the whole flock rises simultaneously, 

 as is generally the case, and moves to another tree, the effect of all the wings beating the air 

 together is extraordinary, and is said to resemble a thunder-storm mixed with wind. 



The color of this species is as follows : The upper surface is rich grass-green, and the 

 under surface, together with a few feathers on the back of the neck, is light yellow with green 

 edges. The under side of the shoulders and the base of the wings are deep scarlet, and the 

 rest of the under surface of the wings is jetty black. 



THE MACAWS. 



The Macaws are mostly inhabitants of Southern America, in which country so many 

 magnificent birds find their home. 



They are all very splendid birds, and are remarkable for their great size, their very long 

 tails, and the splendid hues of their plumage. The beak is also very large and powerful, and 

 in some species the ring round the eyes and part of the face are devoid of covering. Three 

 species are well known in our menageries ; but as their habits are all very similar, only one 

 example has been figured. This is the gTeat Blue and Yellow Macaw, a bird which is 

 mostly found in Demerara. It is a wood-loving bird, particularly haunting those places where 

 the ground is wet and swampy, and where grows a certain palm on the fruit of which it chiefly 

 feeds. 



The wings of this species are strong, and the long tail is so firmly set that considerable 

 powers of flight are manifested. The Macaws often fly at a very high elevation, in large flocks, 

 and are fond of executing sundry aerial evolutions before they alight. With one or two 

 exceptions they care little for the ground, and are generally seen on the summit of the highest 

 trees. 



Waterton writes as follows of the Red and Blue Macaw : — 



" Superior in size and beauty to any Parrot of South America, the Ara will force you to 

 take your eyes from the rest of animated nature and gaze at him ; his commanding strength, 

 the flaming scarlet of his body, the lovely variety of red, yellow, blue, and green in his wings, 

 the extraordinary length of his scarlet and blue taU, seem all to join and demand from him the 

 title of emperor of all the parrots. He is scarce in Demerara untU you reach the confines of 

 the Macoushi country ; there he is in vast abundance ; he mostly feeds on trees of the palm 

 species. 



