384 MACAWS, 
decision which is usually found in birds that can sing, however small their 
efforts may be. This song, if it may be so called, belongs only to the male 
bird, who seems to have an idea that his voice must be very agreeable to his 
mate, for in light warm weather he will warble nearly all day long, and often 
pushes his beak almost into the ear of his mate, so as to give her the 
full benefit of his song. 
The food of this Parrakeet consists almost chiefly of seeds, those of 
the grass plant being their constant ‘food in their native country. In 
England they take well to canary-seed, and it is somewhat remarkable that 
they do not pick up food with their feet, but always with their beaks. Itisa 
great mistake to confine these lively little birds in a small cage, as their wild 
habits are peculiarly lively and active, and require much space. The 
difference between a Grass Parrakeet when in a little cage and after it 
has been removed into a 
large house, where it has 
plenty of space to move 
about, is really wonderful. 
In its native land it is a 
migratory bird, assembling 
after the breeding season in 
enormous flocks as a prepa- 
ration for their intended jour- 
ney. The general number of 
the eggs is three or four, and 
they are merely laid in the 
holes of the gum-tree without 
requiring a nest. 
THE MAcaws are mostly 
inhabitants of Southern Ame- 
vica, in which country so 
‘\ many magnificent birds find 
their home. 
They are all very splendid 
birds, and are remarkable for 
their great size, their very 
long tails, and the splendid 
hues of their plumage. The 
BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW.—(A7a Ararauna.) beak is also very large and 
powerful, and in some spe- 
cies the ring round the eyes and part of the face is devoid of covering. As 
their habits are all very similar, only one example has been figured. This is 
the great BLUE AND YELLOW Macaw, a bird which is mostly found in 
Demerara. It is a wood-loving bird, particularly haunting those places 
where the ground is wet and swampy, and where grows a certain palm on 
the fruit of which it chiefly feeds. : 
The wings of this species are strong, and the long tail is so firmly set that 
considerable powers of flight are manifested. The Macaws often fly at a 
very great elevation, in large flocks, and are fond of executing sundry aerial 
evolutions before they alight. With one or two exceptions they care little 
for the ground, and are generally seen on the summit of the highest trees. _ 
THE true Parrots constitute a group which are easily recognized by their 
short squared tails, the absence of any crest upon the head, and the toothed 
edges of the upper mandible. 
The GREY PARROT has long been celebrated for its wonderful powers of 
imitation and its excellent memory. 
