Psittacus Macao, LINNÆUS; L'Ara Rouge, BUFFON; Der rothe Aras,
BECHSTEIN.
The beauty of their plumage, and the facility with which they repeat
words, are the two principal reasons for the introduction of parrots
into parlours. Some imitate the songs of other birds and warble very
sweetly. We have observed, that in order to speak distinctly the tongue
must be thick, rounded, and the muscle loose enough to permit the
requisite motion; hence it happens that parrots, above all those with a
short tail, pronounce so very distinctly. The ravens, jack-daws, and jays
come next to them; but the starlings and blackbirds surpass them in the
formation of the larynx.
The red and blue maccaw is one of the largest of the parrot tribe, being
two feet eight inches in length. The hardest stones of the peach cannot
resist the strength of its beak, the upper mandible of which is very
much hooked. The claws are directed forward, and two backward. The naked
cheeks are covered with a wrinkled whitish skin. The head, neck, breast,
belly, thighs, top of the back, and the upper wing-coverts are of the
finest vermilion. The lower part of the back and the rump are light
blue. The scapulars and large wing-coverts are a mixture of blue,
yellow, and green.
The colours sometimes vary, especially in the wings and tail, but the
species will not be the less easily known on that account.
The female very much resembles the male.
HABITATION.--When wild it inhabits South America, and may be found in
Brazil and Guiana, in damp woods, and always in pairs. In the house
it may be let range at will, giving it a roost with several rings
placed across. Like its fellows, it may be kept in a very large
strong wire cage, high and wide enough to let it move with ease, and
preserve its handsome tail in all its beauty.
FOOD.--In its native country the fruit of the palm tree is its
principal food; our fruit it also likes, but white bread soaked in
milk agrees with it better; biscuit does not hurt it; but meat,
sweetmeats, and other niceties are very injurious; and though at
first it does not appear to be injured, it becomes unhealthy, its
feathers stand up separate, it pecks and tears them, above all those
on the first joint of the pinion, and it even makes holes in
different parts of its body. It drinks little--this is perhaps
occasioned by its eating nothing dry. Many bird-fanciers say that the
best food for parrots is simply the crumbs of white bread, well
baked, without salt, soaked in water, and then slightly squeezed in
the hand. But though this appears to agree with them pretty well, it
is however certain that now and then something else ought to be
added. I have observed, indeed, that parrots which are thus fed are
very thin, have hardly strength to bear moulting, and sometimes even
do not moult at all; in that case they become asthmatic, and die of
consumption. It is clear that feeding them only on this food, which
has very little if any moisture in it, is not sufficient to nourish
them properly, at least during the moulting season, and while the
feathers are growing again. I never saw a parrot in better health
than one which belonged to a lady, who fed it on white bread soaked
in boiled milk, having more milk than the bread would absorb, which
the parrot drank with apparent pleasure; there was also put into the
drawer of its cage some sea biscuit, or white bread soaked in boiling
water; it was also given fruit when in season. It is necessary to be
very careful that the milk is not sour.
Some young maccaws are fed on hemp-seed, which must always be of the
year before, as the new would be too warm and dangerous. Yet they
must not be fed entirely on this food, but there must be added white
bread soaked in milk or water, as has already been mentioned, some
fruit and nuts, but never bitter almonds, as they will infallibly
kill all young animals. In all cases the excrements of the bird will
indicate the state of its health, and whether the food ought to be
changed or not.
Although maccaws rarely want to drink, as their food is very moist,
yet they must not be left without water, which is generally placed in
one of the divisions of their tin drawer. It is also a good thing to
entice them to bathe, nothing is more favourable to their health, or
better facilitates the painful operation of moulting, or keeps their
feathers in better order. A little attention to these favourites,
deprived of their liberty, their natural climate, and food, cannot be
too much trouble to amiable persons who are fond of them, and to whom
these pretty birds become greatly attached.
BREEDING.--The red and blue maccaws build their nests in the holes of
old decayed trees; they enlarge and make the hole even with their
beak, and line it with feathers. The female, like that of the other
American parrots, breeds twice in the year, laying two eggs each
time, which are exactly like those of the partridge. In Europe the
females also lay well, but the eggs are generally unfruitful; when
they are not so it is very difficult to make the mother sit; there
are, however, a few examples of the female maccaw being so well
inclined to perform this office, that she will sit on pigeons' and
hens' eggs, which are hatched in due time.
The maccaws which we have in this country have generally been reared
from the nest, particularly those which speak, for the old ones would
be too savage and untractable, and would only stun one with their
unbearable cries, the faithful interpreters of their different
passions.
DISEASES.--Amongst those to which maccaws are particularly subject,
declines are the most frequent. Some cures for this are mentioned in
the Introduction, which it would be well to employ. During the
moulting season attention must be redoubled, not only to keep them in
health but to preserve their beautiful plumage.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--As maccaws are very dear they are generally
only found in the possession of rich bird-fanciers. In the centre of
Germany one costs from fifty to a hundred rix dollars, and in the
maritime cities thirty or forty. Their beautiful plumage forms their
principal attraction. They also learn to repeat many words, to go and
come, and also to obey the least signal from their master. I confess,
however, that their awkward walk, their heavy movements, and their
constant inclination to help themselves along with their beak, added
to their great uncleanliness, does not appear very agreeable. They
are sometimes very wicked, taking dislike to some people, and may do
great injury to children if left alone with them. Owing to their dung
being very liquid, abundant, and foetid, they must be cleaned
regularly every day.
[Illustration: AVIARY FOR DRAWING ROOM.]