THE GREAT GREEN MACAW. 
885 
“ When the coucourite trees have ripe fruit on them, they are covered with this magnificent 
Parrot. He is not shy or wary ; yon may take your blowpipe and a quiver of poisoned arrows, 
and kill more than you are able to carry back to your hut. They are very vociferous, and, 
like the common Parrots, rise up in bodies towards sunset and fly two and two to their places 
of rest. It is a grand sight in ornithology to see thousands of Aras flying over your head, low 
enough to let you have a full view of their flaming mantle. The Indians find the flesh very 
good, and the feathers serve for ornaments in their head-dresses.” 
The Blue and Yellow Macaw generally keeps in pairs, though, like the other species, it 
will sometimes assemble in flocks of considerable size. When thus congregated, the Macaws 
become very conversational, and their united cries are most deafening, and can be heard at a 
great distance, as any one can understand who has visited a Parrot-house. In common with 
BLUB AND YELLOW MACAW .— Ara ararauna. 
the other Macaws, this species is easily tamed, and possesses some powers of imitation, being 
able to learn and repeat several words, or even phrases. It is not, however, gifted with the 
extraordinary powers of speech which are so wonderfully developed in the true Parrots, and 
on account of its deafening cries is not an agreeable inhabitant of a house. 
The Macaws lay their eggs in the hollows of decaying trees, and are said to alter the size 
and form of the hole to their taste by means of their powerful beaks, a feat which they cer- 
tainly have the ability to perform. The eggs are never more than two, and there are generally 
two broods in the season. Both parents assist in the duties of incubation. 
The G-beat Green Macaw, a very splendid species, with green body, scarlet and blue 
head, blue-tipped wings, and red and blue tail, is not so exclusively an inhabitant of the forest 
Vol. II. -49. 
