Psittacus maracana, Russ. Synonyms: Macrocercus maraccma, Vll.; Macrocercus Illigeri, Brmst.; Ara maracana, Gr.; Sittace maracana, Fnsch., etc.

German: Der rothruckige Arara.

THIS rare bird is a native of the southern parts of Brazil, and, although classed with the Macaws by authors, is a much smaller bird than those giants of the Parrot race which we have just described; it is about the same size as Pennant's Parrakeet, though its much longer tail causes it to appear larger.

ILLIGER'S MACAW.

ILLIGER'S MACAW.

A dark red forehead, rump, and belly form a marked contrast to the garb of dusky green that clothes the back of this small Macaw, whose wings are blue, tipped with a narrow border of a deeper shade of the same colour; the tail is dark reddish brown, with bluish green tips.

The female resembles her mate.

Two fine specimens are now to be seen in the Parrot House in Regent's Park, but are very seldom to be met with in the dealers' hands, probably because these Macaws have no very marked peculiarities to recommend them to the notice of amateurs.

At the "Zoo" the cage is placed on the upper shelf of the stand that occupies the centre of the Parrot House, where the birds are badly seen, and being out of reach of the majority of the visitors, have not become as familiar with them, as those of their congeners who fill a less exalted position.

It is much to be desired that a new Parrot House were built, on the plan of the Reptile House, where each species of Parrot could have allotted to its use a cage of sufficient dimensions to enable it to use its wings, and to contain a hollow log or tree, in which many of the species would undoubtedly breed; many disputed points in the history of these interesting birds, the Parrots, might then be readily solved, and the poor creatures themselves would enjoy better health, and be seen to better advantage by the public, than at present is the case, confined as they are in miserable cages in which many of them can barely turn themselves round.

Only for its relatively large beak, and the extended patch of naked skin that surrounds the eye, this sombre-looking bird would appear to be more appropriately classed with the Conures than the Macrocerci, with which, however, the above-mentioned distinctions inseparably connect it; its colours are not striking, nor is the shape of the bird elegant; it appears to be dull and spiritless too, and to lack altogether the vivacity and restlessness that are such conspicuous features of the large Macaw's character. We have seen one of these birds sit motionless for hours, with its beak resting on one of the side bars of its cage - the reader must not, however, too hastily conclude that we remained as motionless as the bird to observe it, for we simply could not do it; what we mean is, that having seen the bird assume the position we have indicated, and looked at it for a few minutes, on our return two hours afterwards, we found it in exactly the same spot from which it had, apparently, never moved all that time: at liberty in an aviary or large room, or even chained to a perch, as most of these birds, the Macaws, are in captivity, it is very likely it would betray quite a different disposition, and be as lively and active as any of the members of its race.

Illiger's Macaw is not a rare bird in its own country, the southern parts of Brazil, but is very seldom imported into this, probably in consequence of its sad-coloured coat, in which all the tints look as if they had been subjected to a process of "washing out", and the colours had either not been "fast", or had been imperfectly restored.

As this is one of the birds we have not kept, we cannot say much as to its capacity for acquiring knowledge, including the use, or rather imitation, of articulate speech, and other accomplishments for which so many of its congeners have acquired a world-wide celebrity. Under happier conditions than we have ever known it placed in, Illiger's Macaw might turn out a very different bird, and quite overset the opinion we have, so far, formed of its merits.

The Hon. And Rev. F. G. Dutton's Account Of Illiger's Macaw (Ara Maracana)

I may close the account of the Macaws with whose habits 1 am acquainted with a description of Illiger's Macaw.

This is a miniature Macaw, not as large as an Alexandrine Parrakeet, though haying all the characteristics of a Macaw. The prevailing colour is dark green; the cheeks are bare and yellowish, the beak black. The specimens with which I was acquainted were tame, but too noisy for a room. I should think it would make a good talker, though neither of those I saw talked. For any one who wanted to try the experiment of turning out Macaws, but was afraid of the damage that might be done by the larger Macaws, Illiger's Macaw would be an excellent bird to try. Though very good-tempered, I observed in a pair caged together in a dealer's shop, the same jealousy that I have alluded to in my account of the other Macaws: no doubt the jealous one was the cock. They are worth about £2 or £3 the pair.

For food I find Macaws require only bread and milk and hemp seed. I have tried them with Indian corn, but they do not seem very fond of it. They do not eat very much bread and milk after they are grown up, though as nestlings they live entirely on it; the principal food is hemp seed. They are small eaters considering their size.

As to diseases, "Bob" occasionally had a cold in his head, and then he was not let out for a day or two, but with the amount of liberty my Macaws enjoy they naturally do not get ill.