122 . PARROTS. 



and the bastard-wing, together with the primary wing-coverts and the outer webs 

 of the primaries deep blue. Most of the species are distinguished from one 

 another by the markings of the head and face, while a few differ by their smaller 

 size. They are all essentially forest-dwelling birds, associating in flocks, and 

 feeding upon the fruits of palms and other trees. They usually lay from three 

 to four eggs, and produce but one brood in the year. If taken sufficiently early, 

 the young are extraordinarily tame ; and as these birds are very hardy, they are 

 favourites in captivity, more especially as many of them rival the grey parrot in 

 talking and mimicry. Indeed, the festive amazon frequently becomes sufficiently 

 domesticated to be allowed to wander in gardens at large. 





HAWK-BILLED PARROT {\ liat. size). 



iff"- ""'^^^ 



Hawk-Billed One of tlic most remarkable members of this subfamily is the 



Parrot. hawk-billed parrot {Deropty^is accipitriiius) of Guiana, the Amazon 

 Valley, and North-East Brazil, which is the sole representative of its genus. It 

 differs from the amazons by the presence of a tufted oil-gland, and by the 

 relatively longer tail, and is specially characterised by the beak being rather 

 short, and deeper than long, but above all by the elongation and breadth of the 

 feathers on the hinder part of the neck, which form an erectile collar or ruff. 

 The coloration of this extraordinary bird is very striking. While the back and 

 vipper surface of the wings are green, the head is brown, with lioary streaks on 

 the sides ; the elongated feathers of the nape, together with those on the abdomen 



