i88o 



THE PARROT TRIBE 



quills are bluish green, becoming yellow at the base. The true conures, of which 

 there are no less than twenty-eight species, range from Mexico, through Central 

 America and the West Indies, to Bolivia and Paraguay. Formerly, the Carolina 

 conure had a more northern range than any other parrot, extending to Iowa, the 

 Great Lakes, and New York, but it is now confined to the States bordering the 

 Gulf of Mexico and the Missisisippi valley, and is very local. At one time they 

 were found in enormous flocks, which used to do great damage to the crops, but of 



CAROLINA CONURE. 

 (One- half natural size.) 



late years their numbers have been greatly reduced. Wilson writes that the Caro- 

 lina conures ' ' are particularly attached to the large sycamores, in the hollows of 

 the trunks and branches of which they generally roost, thirty or forty and some- 

 times more, entering at the same hole. Here they cling close to the sides of the 

 tree, holding just by the claws and also by the bill. They appear to be fond of 

 sleep, and often retire to their holes during the day, probably to take a regular 

 siesta. They are extremely sociable and fond of each other, often scratching each 



