The Macaws are mostly inha- 
bitants of Southern America, in 
which country so many magni- 
ficent birds find their home. 
They are all very splendid 
birds, and are all remarkable for 
their great size, their very long- 
tails, and the splendid hues of 
their plumage. The beak is also 
very large and powerful, and, in 
some species, the ring round the 
eyes and part of the face are de- 
void of covering. Three species 
are well known in our menage- 
ries ; but 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 high 
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. 
Both parents assist in the du- 
ties of incubation. 
