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Smart Pet DepaRTMeNT: 
4@> All communications and contributions intended for this depart- 
ment should be addressed to HOWARD I. IRELAND, 318 Stevens Street, 
Camden, N. J., or care of JosepH M. WADE, 39 North Ninth St., Philada. 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
PARROTS. 
No. II—Macaws. 
THESE magnificent birds are found in the tropical parts 
of South America, and the islands along the coast. Though 
seldom successfully taught to imitate the human voice, yet, 
when taken from the nest when quite young (before their 
eyes are opened), and carefully reared by hand, they become 
the most fluent talkers known among birds; repeating long 
sentences with facility, and imitating the songs of other 
birds. When captured, after arriving at a more mature age, 
they are exceedingly untractable, and can be taught hardly 
anything, except uttering a very disagreeable screech. 
Macaws are the largest of the parrot tribe—often reach- 
ing a length of one yard. The principal features which 
distinguish them from the rest of the species, are their great 
size; the length of the tail feathers; the shortness and great 
strength of their mandibles; and their cheeks being desti- 
tute of feathers. They generally inhabit forests of tall 
trees—preferring those abounding with palms—on the fruit 
of which they live. There are several varieties of Macaws, 
the most common being the 
RED AND BLUE MACAW. 
This variety inhabits Brazil, Guinea, and other parts of 
South America. Formerly, it was quite common in the 
island of St. Domingo, but it is now extinct. It generally 
lives in moist woods of the Macaw Palm; the latter bearing 
a small fruit, upon which it principally subsists. The flesh of 
the Macaw is black, tough, and bad tasted; though it is used 
by the natives in the manufacture of a kind of soup. Num- 
bers of them are shot for this purpose. Like other varie- 
ties, it cannot be taught to imitate the human voice, unless 
taken from the nest when quite young. The tone of its 
voice is rather harsh and disagreeable. In captivity it is 
subject to fits, and these are generally the cause of its death. 
In treating this disease, remove the bird from the cage on 
the first symptoms, and pour a spoonful of cold water down 
its throat. If this fails to bring it to, plunge it suddenly 
into cold water, or pull out a tail feather. One of these 
remedies will generally produce the desired effect. 
It is about twenty inches long—though sometimes reach- 
ing the length of a yard. The prevailing color is scarlet. 
The quill feathers are blue on the upper, and yellow on the 
other side; diversified by green and yellow; the other parts 
of the body are blue; the lower tail feathers of a fine ver- 
milion. The cheeks are destitute of feathers—being covered 
with a skin resembling that found on the turkey. It 
requires a larger cage (or what is much better, a stand and 
chain) than those used for common parrots, so as to have 
room for exercise, and to preserve the beauty of its bril- 
liant plumage. It is often called the red or the scarlet 
Macaw, The natives call it the Yonzalo. 
The blue and yellow Macaw is somewhat smaller than 
the preceding, and isararer bird. Its plumage is consid- 
ered by some to be even handsomer than that of the red and 
blue Macaw. The feathers on the head are blue; gradually 
becoming green as they approach the wings. The fore part 

FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 

of the neck, breast, belly, and the under part of the tail, are 
of a fine yellow. The rest of the plumage is either blue or 
olive. It is a native of Jamaica, Brazil, Guinea, and 
Sumatra, and its habits greatly resemble those of the blue 
and red Macaw. This ‘species readily learn to imitate the 
sounds made by different animals. 
THE GREEN MACAW. 
- This rare species is of a blackish-green color; its plumage 
shining in the sun with a metallic lustre; the bill and eyes 
are dull red; and the legs and feet black. It is about 
seventeen or eighteen inches long. It is found in Guinea 
and the Brazils. It is extremely beautiful, and quite soci- 
able with persons with whom it is familiar; but its great 
demerit to popular favor is its weak voice. It seldom 
learns to articulate distinctly, if at all. 
To be of any use as a talker, all kinds of Macaws must be 
taken from the nest when quite young, and reared by hand. 
Of course, we who live in the temperate clime cannot do 
this; but it is better to pay an extra price for one that can 
talk, than get a cheap bird that is useless for this purpose, 
The management of Macaws, as well as all kinds of parrots, 
will be given in a future number. 

+o 
RABBIT FANCIERS, ATTENTION ! 
At the next annual exhibition of the Eastern Penna. Poul- 
try Society, the rabbit class will be made one of its special- 
ties. Competent judges will be secured; men who know 
the difference between a lop-eared and a Dutch rabbit. Two 
of the executive committee are old rabbit fanciers, and are 
desirous of having, at our next show, one of the finest col- . 
lections of rabbits ever seen in this country, hence exhibi- 
tors who may wish to send their stock from a distance may 
rest assured that every attention will be paid them on their 
arrival at the show; and during the exhibition they will be 
fed and cared for by those who have been accustomed to 
managing rabbits. We also guarantee that they will not 
be thrust under the benches, or poked into a corner out of 
sight, but a good position will be given to them; so brother 
fanciers come and help us; if you cannot come yourself 
send on your lops, your Belgians, your Silver-grays, your 
Himalayas, your Angoras, your Dutch,and Commons. Our 
premium list will be ready soon, and it will be sent to all 
who apply for it. 
-T. H. Waxton, Cor. Sec’y. 
DOYLESTOWN, PA. 

Nasuua, N. H., June 26, 1874. 
Mr. Epiror: 
The Fanciers’ Journal has become to me a welcome visi- 
tor, the more so because it gives a portion of its space to my 
pets, the rabbits, for which I think that every’rabbit fancier ~ 
in the United States will duly appreciate it. I trust it will 
not be many years before we shall have rabbit clubs and 
rabbit shows in this country, as they now do in England. 
But what I want to say is this: a friend of mine has a lop- 
eared doe that has a litter of seven fine, healthy young ones, 
but the ears of two of them will both fall on one side. It 
would oblige him very much if some one of your subscribers 
would give, through the journal, information how to 
make the caps that are used to keep the ears in their proper 
position. Yours truly, 
MADAGASCAR. 
