306 BIRDS OF BRITISH GUIANA. 



I^jrtralimital Bange. Xortli Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia. 



Habits. Schomburgk states (Reis. Guian. iii. p. 729) that he 

 found this species for the first time on the Savannas near Pirara. 

 Morninir and eveninor large flocks, utterini; their far-soundinjr crv, 

 flew to and fro to the far-off woods and oasis. It is supposed 

 to lay three or four epgs in hollow trees, fie rarely found it in 

 captivity. The *• Macusis *' and the "Arekuna.'?" call this binl 

 Keih-keili. 



Mr. J.J. Quelch observed this species on the Abary River, and 

 remarks (Timehri (2) ii. p. 373) : — ''The Small 'Slacavr [Ara haJini) 

 crossed the creek morning and evening in almost continuous 

 flights, but high up and generally out of range.'' 



Mr. C A. L'oyd. writing on Guiana P;irrots, remarks (Timehri 

 (2) ix. p. 8), : — "The Little Green 'Eta Parrot' {Ara hahii) 

 is the smallest of the Macaws. It is widely distributed throughout 

 the Colony, and together with the ' Screecher ' Parrot is in some 

 places the most obtrusive form of bird-life. It nests in dried 

 trees, especially such as have been destroyed by fire, taking 

 advantage of old AToodpecker-holes, which it often enlarges to 

 suit its requirements. The generic name Ara. given to the 

 Macaws by Kuhl, is said to be derived from some Indian name 

 for these birds, and is really a very good imitation of their usual 

 note." He also writes {op. rit. (2) xi. p. 8) : " Decaying Eta 

 palms are the nesting-places of A7\i hahni. The Eta Parrot (Ara 

 hahni) lays in December and January.'' 



Genus ARATINGA Spix. 



Aratinga Spix, Av. Bras. i. p. 29, ls24:. Tyjje A. (jv.aroulta (Gmel.). 



In this genus the orbital ring is complete, tlie lores are feathered, 

 and the fourth primary is attenuated. The tail is graduated. 



Apy to the '^Species. 



A. Throat orange like the abdomen ; up]>er 



parts yellow ; tail-feathers tipped with 



bine A. sohtitialis, p. .307. 



B. Throat green like the abdomen ; upper I'p. gos. 



parts green, including the entire tail... A. leucophtliahna, 



C. Throat olive-brown in contrast with the 



abdomen, which is yellowLsh gi"een. 



a. Fore part of head bluish green A. aeruginosa, p. .309. 



h. Fore part of head orange-yellow J_, aurea. p. 310. 



