2dG BIRDS OF BRITISH GUIANA. 



Order PSITTACIFORMES. 



Family PSlTTACIDiE. 



The Parrots inhabit chiefly the tropical and subtropical portions 

 of Africa, Asia, Australasia, West India Islands, C^entral and 

 South America. 



They vary in size from that of a Pheasant to a Marsh-Tit or 

 Common Wren. Their plumage is rather harsh and combines all 

 the bricrhtest of colours. The}' nest in holes in trees and lay 

 white eggs. Their bills are very powerful (for crushing hard 

 substances) and their feet are zygodactile or yoke-footed. 



There are twenty-three genera and one hundred and sixty-five 

 species in South America ; thirteen genera and thirty-three species 

 are represented in British Guiana. 



Genus AEA Lacep. 



Ara Lacepede, Tableau Oiseanx, p. 19, 1799. Tj'pe A. nuicao (Linn.). 



This genus is distinguished by the naked lores, large bill, the 

 very long and graduated tail, and in having the orbital ring 

 complete. 



Keji to the Species. 



A. Larger, wing more tlian 300 mm. 



a. Upper surface entirely blue ; lower parts 



yellow A. araranna, p. 297. 



h. Upper surface red and blue ; lower parts 



almost entirely red. 



a' . Head and underparts bright red ; 



an irregular patch of yellow on the 



wings ; middle tail-feathers red 



the entire length A. macao, p. 299. 



h' . Head and underparts deep red ; no 

 yellow on the wings ; middle tail- 

 feathers tipped with blue , A. Moropiera, p. 301. 



B. Smaller, wing less than 300 mm. 



c. Lower aspect of quills and tail-feathers 



red A. severa, p. 303. 



(I. Lower aspect of quills and tail-feathers 

 3'ellow. 

 c' . Lower abdomen red ; imder wing- 

 coverts green A. man ilata, p. 304'. 



(T . Lower abdomen green ; under wing- 

 coverts bright red A. lialmi. p. liO."). 



