MACAW', Macrocercus, a genus of the parrot family (psittaeidce), distinguished by a very long wedge-shaped tail, long and pointed wings, large strong feet, the sides of the head naked, the bill short and very strong, the upper mandible greatly arched, and hav ing a long sharp tip, the lower mandible much shorter, and of massive thickness. The species are among the largest and most splendid of the parrot race; they are all natives of tropical America. They do not readily learn to articulate, their attainments seldom exceeding oue or two words, but are easily domesticated, and become much attached to those with whom they are well acquainted. Their natural notes are hoarse and piercing screams. They are more or less gregarious, and the appearance of a flock of macaws in bright sunshine is wonderfully brilliant. They breed twice a year, and lay their eggs— generally two—in the hollows of decayed trees. They feed chiefly on fruits and seeds; and often commit great depredations on fields of niaize. One of the flock is set to watch on some elevated situation, and on the approach of danger, gives the alarm bv a cry.
In domestication, macaws readily eat bread, sugar, etc.— rhe GREAT SCARLET MACAW (M. a racanga) is sometimes more than 3 ft. in length, including the long tail.— The GREAT GicEieN 31Aenw (M. madam's) and tlae BLUE AND YELDOW MACAW (M. araraana) are rather smaller. These are among the best known species. The other species are numerous.—Allied to the macaws, but approaching to the parakeets, LtIT the species forming the genus psittacara, all of them also natives of the neW world. The cheeks are feathered, and the bill less arched than in the true macaws.—Allied to them also are the araras, of which one, 1.11C CAROLINA ARARA, Or CAROLINA PARROT (arara Caro/inensi8), extends much further north in America than any other of the parrot family. It is about 14 in. long, gay with green and gold, is gregarious, and commits great depredations in orchards and maize-fields. It cannot be taught to articulate words, but readily becomes very familiar.