218 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
elegance, and bear a higher comparative value than the 
rest of the Parrots. In common with the entire tribe, ~ 
they inhabit the tropical regions of the earth, and live 
chiefly upon fruits and seeds. Among the latter they 
uniformly give the preference to such as are provided 
with a hard and shelly covering. ‘These they crack with 
great dexterity, carefully rejecting the outer coat, and 
swallowing only the internal nut. 
The Blue and Yellow Macaw is one of the finest of 
the group. The whole of its upper surface is covered 
with plumage of the most beautiful azure; the feathers 
of the under parts on the contrary are of a brilliant 
yellow. The naked part of the cheeks, which are white 
slightly tinged with flesh colour, is ornamented with 
three lines of minute blackish feathers; and the throat 
is surrounded by a broad collar of greenish black. The 
forehead is yellowish green. 
