AVES— PARROT. 



547 



THECAROLINA PARROT.i 



This is the only species found native within the territory of the United 

 States. The vast luxuriant tracts lying within the torrid zone, seem to be 

 the favorite residence of those noisy, numerous, and richly plumaged tribes. 

 The Carolina parrot inhabits the interior of Louisiana, and the shores of the 

 Mississippi, and Ohio, east of the AUeghanies. It is seldom seen north of 

 Maryland. Their private places of resort are low, rich alluvial bottoms along 

 the borders of creeks ; deep and almost impenetrable swamps filled with 

 sycamore and cypress trees, and those singular salirtes or licks, so interspersed 

 over the western country. Here, too, is a great abundance of their favorite 

 fruits. The seeds of the cypress tree and beech nuts, are eagerly sought 

 after by these birds. 



The flight of the Carolina parrot is very much like that of the wild 

 pigeon, in close compact bodies, moving with great rapidity, making a loud 

 and outrageous screaming, like that of the red-headed woodpecker. Their 

 flight is sometimes in a direct line, but most usually circuitous, making a 



Psittacus Carolinensis, Lin. 



