THE RED AND BLUE MACCAW. 153 



require considerable attention in Britain, to pre- 

 vent the effects of our cold climate on their con- 

 stitutions. This is more especially the case when 

 they are newly imported ; but in a few years they 

 become pretty well inured to the cold of 'Our 

 northern latitude. 



The Red and Blue Maccaw is one of the largest 

 and most beautiful of its group ; measuring, from 

 the crown of the head to the tip of the tail, nearly 

 three feet ; the tail itself being nearly two feet in 

 length, when in perfect condition. Its general 

 plumage is of a deep-toned and brilliant red. A 

 broad band of verdigris green separates the inter- 

 mediate wing coverts, and behind the shoulders, 

 from the deep violet blue of the large quill feathers 

 of the wings. The tail is generally blue at the 

 base, brownish crimson in the middle, and blue at 

 the extremity of the feathers, and of a blood-red 

 colour beneath ; but all these colours vary, both 

 in intensity and extent. The cheeks and cere are 

 white, the latter traversed by three or four rows 

 of transverse crimson feathers. The lower mandible 

 and the base of the upper one are of a blackish 

 horn colour, the middle of the latter being of a 

 dirty yellowish white, and of a dusky hue at the 

 point. The claws are the same colour as the beak, 

 as are also the scales which cover the legs and 

 toes. 



This bird inhabits Brazil, and some of the West 

 India islands. 



