78 THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS. 



second to approach much nearer than the first before 

 giving .the alarm. 



Paroquets of all species live in joyous and noisy 

 bands. After having passed the night on the same 

 tree they disperse in the neighbourhood, not without 

 having first posted watchers here and there, and they 

 are very attentive to their cries and indications. 



The great Aras or Macaws, the large and handsome 

 parrots of the Andes, act with much prudence when 

 circumstances make it advisable, and they know when 

 they ought to be on their guard. When they are in 

 the depths of the forest, their own domain, they 

 gather fruits in the midst of a deafening noise ; each 

 one squalls and cries according to his own humour. 

 But if they have resolved to pillage a field of maize, 

 as experience has taught them that these joyous 

 manifestations would then be unseasonable and would 

 not fail to attract the furious proprietor, they consum- 

 mate the robbery in perfect silence. Sentinels are 

 placed on the neighbouring trees. To the first warn- 

 ing a low cry responds ; on the second, announcing a 

 nearer danger, all the band fly away with vociferations 

 which need no longer be restrained. The common 

 Crane {Gins cincrcd), still more far-seeing to avoid a 

 possible future danger, despatches scouts who are thus 

 distinct from sentinels who inform their fellows of 

 present danger.^ 



When these birds have been disturbed in any spot, 

 they never return without great precautions. Before 

 arriving, they stop ; a few only go circumspectly 

 forward, examining everything, and coming back to 

 make their report. If this is not satisfactory the 

 troop remains suspicious, sending new messengers. 



^ E. Poppig, Fragiiieii/a zoologica itinens Chilensis, 1829-30. 



