KV--^ 



SCALY-BREASTED LORF.IKEET. — rric/ioylossws chlorolepidOtus. 



lieaitily intent on their food, that they cannot be induced to leave the tree even by the 

 report of a gun or the rattling of shot among them, and at the best will only scream and 

 go to another branch. This species will 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 thunderstorm 

 mixed with wind. 



The colour of this species is as follows : The upper surface is ridi 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 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 great Blue and Yellow Macaw, 

 a bird which is mostly found in Demerara. It is a wood-loving bird, particidarly 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. 



