PARROTS. 63 



• its length is thirty-eight inches, of which the tail measures twenty-two. The length of the wings is 

 sixteen inches. 



Little is known of the habits of the Hyacinth -coloured Arara; we learn that it is principally found 

 in the river districts of Rio de Francisco, and from thence to the Amazon. These birds are not 

 very numerous, and are constantly seen in pairs instead of flocks. In comparison with the rest of 

 their family, they have little shyness, and their voices are seldom heard. 



We may consider the PARRAKEETS, or CONICAL-TAILED PARROTS (Conurus), 

 although much smaller, as the next relations to the Araras, from which they are easily distin- 

 guished by the circumstance that their cheeks are feathered. Some have a bare circle round the 

 eyes, whilst in the smaller kinds the feathers reach quite to the eyelids. The beak is comparatively 

 strong, but short and broad ; the cere is thickly feathered, and the nostrils, which are placed in 

 the middle of the forehead, are surrounded with bristle-like feathers. The plumage is generally 

 green, and relatively simple; still there are very magnificent species among them. Such an one is 



THE GARTJBA. 

 The Garuba of Brazil (Conurus hiteus) is a splendid bird, of bright egg-yellow colour, only 

 varied by the green and black upon the wings and tail. The head and wings are usually of a 

 brighter colour than the rest of the body ; the wings are externally green, tipped and bordered with 

 black; the beak greyish horn yellow; the foot flesh-coloured, varied with grey; the narrow bare 

 places round the eyes whitish ; the eyes are dark orange. Its length is fourteen and a half inches, 

 six inches of which belong to the tail. The length of the wings is about the same. The north of 

 Brazil, particularly the country near the Amazon, is the principal habitat of the Garuba, but nowhere 

 is it found in great numbers. 



THE TIRIBA. 



The Tiriba (Conurus leucotis), a bird only nine inches long, four inches of which must be 

 reckoned for the tail, is certainly tire most elegant and charming of all parrakeets. The crown is 

 brown, and shines with a metallic bluish green lustre ; the rim round the forehead, the cheek-stripes, 

 the cheeks, and the throat, are cherry colour. The part near the ear is white ; the neck, rump, and 

 wings dark green ; the point of the tail and the middle of the belly, as well as the wings near the 

 shoulder, are red ; the breast is olive green ; and the feathers on the upper part of the neck are indi- 

 cated by a black-edged stripe, prettily marked. The wings are externally bluish green, and black 

 within. The tail is green, the upper part touched with cherry colour, and the lower part with blood 

 red ; the horn-grey beak terminates in a white point. The feet are dark ash grey, and the eye-rings 

 orange; the narrow bare place around the eyes is blackish. The female is somewhat smaller than 

 the male, from whom she differs but little in colour. In the young birds the tints are paler, and the 

 feathers only slightly marked. 



The Tiriba is met with in many parts of the eastern coast of Brazil ; these birds abound in 

 forests, and particularly in such as have not been cleared ; they are also found in great numbers on 

 the sea-coast, and at no great distance from human habitations. Except in pairing time, they are 

 always in large flocks, and if disturbed dart like arrows from the tops of die trees, shrieking loudly. 

 They climb very dextrously, employing the beak freely, and carefully guarding their long tail from 

 being injured by the branches. It is veiy difficult for the sportsman to distinguish them in their haunts, 

 on account of their green colour, and if they fear danger they will remain perfectly motionless and 

 quiet. It is only when flying that they raise their voices loudly and repeatedly. When there are 



