CAROLINA PAKOKEET. 251 



stray from a flock and will then call from a tree top until it obtains an answer, when it 

 will at once join its friends. 



While feeding, the Parokeets are not absolutely noisy but will keep up a low, contin- 

 uous chattering among themselves, as if conversing in a social manner. These notes are 

 continued while the birds are assuming all kinds of positions, now clinging to the under 

 side of a limb while they search for the seeds of a pine cone, now reaching for some tempt- 

 ing morsel while they hang head downward, or climbing with great agility from twig to 

 twig. All of these feats are done without interrupting the flow of gossip and are perform- 

 ed with the greatest ease, for the Parokeets are accomplished acrobats; not only using 

 their feet with great address but also, like most Parrots, cling readily to a branch with 

 their bill alone. 



As may be readily inferred by the foregoing remarks, the Carolina Parokeets are of a 

 most social disposition. This is not a mere liking for company, as they are actually fond 

 of one another, for, if one out of a flock be wounded, the survivors attracted by its screams, 

 will return to hover over it and, even if constantly shot at, will not leave as long as their 

 distressed friend calls for assistance; in fact, I have seen every individual in a flock killed 

 one after the other, and the last bird betrayed as much anxiety for the fate of its prostrate 

 friends which were strewed upon the ground, as it did when the first fell. Although not nat- 

 urally wary birds, continual persecution has caused them to be shy; thus, now they are far 

 from being unsuspicious, yet, in spite of this acquired propensity, they appear to lose all 

 timidity when they see a companion in distress. I once brought several wounded speci- 

 mens into camp and they soon became quite tame but would call when they heard the 

 cries of any of their species in the adjacent woods. If their friends chanced to hear them 

 they would circle around, dart close to the ground, without paying the slightest attention, 

 to us and, on one occasion, when the captive birds were perched on the outside of a tent, the 

 wild ones alighted with them, while a few endeavored to settle on the head of one of the 

 party on whose shoulder a tame" Parokeet was sitting. 



In captivity, the Parokeets soon become accustomed to human beings but they must 

 be traeted well or they will acquire an ill natured disposition. Some, however, will never 

 be good natured, even should they receive the best attention; for example, I had five or 

 six at the time of which I have been speaking, and among them were birds of all sorts of 

 temperaments; some were cross, not allowing any one to touch them, some were indifferent 

 to my caresses, while one or two displayed considerable affection for me. Age appears to 

 have nothing whatever to do with these traits but it seems to be purely a matter of indi- 

 vidual variation, just such as we see exhibited by many of the higher animals man, for 

 instance. 



In spite of this variability of temper, it is difficult to find more peaceful birds as far as 

 absolutely quarreling with their own kind or with other species is concerned. When kept 

 in confinement in any numbers, they spend the greater part of their time in clinging close- 

 ly together on the side of the cage and, if one crowds the others too much, they will mere- 

 ly remonstrate by scolding slightly but will not, very often, attempt to bite. When kept 

 singly, they appear to miss their companions sadly and one that I had recently, would try 



