32 PARROTS AND MACAWS 



The Macaws are large, showy birds with, very long, pointed 

 tails, and the most awful voices for screeching ever made for 

 feathered folk. They are found only in the New World from 

 Mexico to Paraguay, and in the Andes up to 10,000 feet. 

 Either in flight, or at rest in the green tree-tops, they are ex- 

 ceedingly showy and attractive birds, and to find a flock in 

 the depths of a tropical forest is an event to be remembered. 

 In hunting macaws in the delta of the Orinoco, about every 

 fourth bird that was mortally wounded would hook its beak 

 over a small branch, die and hang there until I would be re- 

 luctantly compelled to make my fellow collector, who was a 

 good climber, climb up to the bird and throw it down, with 

 much anger and unnecessary violence. 



It is a pity that such beautiful birds should have such ear- 

 splitting, nerve-racking voices. Although they seldom can be 

 taught to talk, never cease to scream until dead, and are very 

 apt to bite most unexpectedly, they are often kept as house- 

 hold pets. 



The Blue-and- Yellow Macaw, ^ orange-yellow below 

 and cobalt-blue above, is one of the species most frequently 

 seen in captivity. In the bird-stores of New York they sell 

 at from $10 to $15 each. The Red-and-Blue Macaw is an- 

 other common species. The beautiful plum-colored bird oc- 

 casionally seen is the Hyacinthine Macaw, from Brazil. 



The Cockatoos are mostly — but not all — snow-white 

 birds, with lofty and beautiful triangular crests which can 

 be erected at will, with striking effect. They inhabit Aus- 



1 Ar'a ar-a-rau'na. Length, about 30 inches, of which the tail constitutes 

 about 18 inches. 



