MACAWS. 
173 
and emarginated on the sides ; the point of the bill shows, on 
the flat of the mouth, a file-like protuberance ; the bones of 
the palate descend towards the throat ; the tongue is thick and 
fleshy; the breast-bone is entire, with two round holes towards 
the posterior edge ; the tarsi are short, with fine granulate 
scales; the exterior toe is turned backwards — the toes are finely 
scaled ; the wings, though perfectly developed, are not con- 
structed for flying far over the seas. The greater number 
of them are ornamented with beautiful green and other 
brilliant colours. They are mostly true tree-birds, living 
upon vegetable food ; they climb with the aid of their bill ; 
use their feet like hands, carrying with them their food to 
their mouth. Their droll habits are only to be compared to 
those of the monkeys ; they are equally coaxing, capricious, 
dainty, and malicious. They may all be tamed, and learn 
to bear confinement. Some may be taught airs, and to imi- 
tate spoken words.^^ In Brazil many species are to be met 
with ; one, the Psittaculus passermus, being scarcely larger 
than a sparrow, while the Scarlet Macaw and Blue Macaw 
are very great. Mr. Wallace"^ notices, as a feature of the 
Amazon, that large flocks of parrots may be observed every 
morning and evening crossing the river to their feeding or 
* Travels on tlie Amazon and Eio Negro, p. 462. 
