128 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



had the satisfaction, several months later, of learning 

 that mine were the first ever sent to America. Does 

 it not seem strange that though Columbus, in 1493, 

 when he approached this island of Dominica, es- 

 pecially noticed the "flights of parrots and other 

 tropical birds," nearly four hundred years should 

 elapse before one of these parrots should reach the 

 continent he was the means of discovering? 



This bird is peculiar to the island and is found 

 nowhere else. Its cry is harsh, somewhat resembling 

 the cry of the wild turkey. It does not, like the small 

 parrots, associate in flocks, but is always found in 

 pairs ; once mated, they are sundered only by death. 

 Morning and evening, when feeding, they cry out 

 noisily, but at other times are silent ; though if a gun 

 be fired within their hearing, or a tree fall, they will 

 all scream loudly and harshly once or twice, and then 

 subside into perfect silence. They are shy and wild, 

 since in the autumn months they are much hunted, 

 being then fat and delicious. In size, they are nearly 

 as large as a fowl, being twenty-three inches long and 

 thirty-six in extent of wings. In color, they are bright 

 green above and purple beneath, with metallic reflec- 

 tions. Rarely does it descend to the valleys, as its 

 favorite food is in the mountains. Its nest is made in 

 the broken shaft of a palm, very high from the ground. 

 The young, if obtained early, will readily learn to 

 talk. 



While the two Indians were away looking for 

 more parrots, an accident happened to one of my 

 birds which greatly excited my ire. I had skinned 

 both birds and plentifully besprinkled them with 

 arsenic, and had left them on a log near the ajoupa, 



