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GENUS SfACROCERCUS. 
The next group we have to notice is that of the- 
Maccaws, or genus Macrocercus, Viell., here re- 
stricted to the larger species, with long lanceolate 
tails and naked orbits and cheeks. In this group 
the bill is short but very strong, and higher than 
long ; the upper mandible greatly arched, with the 
tip long, and projecting far beyond the under, which 
is massive, and meets the upper at right angles. The 
palatine ridge is very distinct, and the inner Burface 
of the projecting tips roughened and file like. The 
tongue is thick and soft. The wings pretty long 
and acuminate. The feet strong, and formed for 
grasping ; the claws falcate, the tarsi upon which they 
partly rest are short and thick. In disposition they 
are much less docile than the true Parrots, and can 
rarely be taught to articulate more than a few words 
in a harsh discordant tone ; their natural notes are 
confined to hoarse and piercing screams. They 
breed in the hollows of trees, laying two eggs, which 
are said to be incubated alternately by both sexes, 
The first species figured is the 
