246 CARC LINA PARROT. 
CAROLINA PARROT.—PSITTACUS CAROLINENSIS. — 
Fie. 120. 
Linn. Syst. 141. — Catesb. i. 11.— Lath. i, 227.— Arct. Zool. 242, No, 132. Did. 
1133. — Peale’s Museum, No. 762. 
CONURUS CAROLINENSIS. —Kuunu.* 
Conurus Carolinensis, Kwhl. consp. psiit. Nov. act. Ceas. Leop. tom, x. p. 4, 23. — 
- Psittacus Carolinensis, Borup. Synop. p. 41. 
Or one hundred and sixty-eight kinds of Parrots enumerated by 
European writers as inhabiting the various regions of the globe, this 
is the only species found native within the territory of the United 
States. The vast and luxuriant tracts lying within the torrid zone 
seem to be the favorite residence of those noisy, numerous, and richly- 
plumaged tribes. The Count de Buffon has, indeed, circumscribed 
the whole genus of Parrots to a space not extending more than twenty- 
three degrees on each side of the equator; but later discoveries:have 
shown this statement to be incorrect, as these birds have been found 
on our continent as far south as the Straits of Magellan, and even on 
the remote shores of Van Diemen’s Land, in Terra Australasia. The 
species now under consideration is also known to inhabit the interior 
of Louisiana, and the shores of the Mississippi and Ohio, and their 
tributary waters, even’ beyond the Illinois River, to the neighborhood 
of Lake Michigan, in. lat. 42 deg. north; and, contrary to the gen- 
erally received opinion, is chiefly resident in all these places. East- 
ward, however, of the great range of the Alleghany, it is seldom seen 
farther north than the state of Maryland, though straggling parties 
have been occasionally dbserved among the valleys of the Juniata ; 
: Tone 
* In all countries Parrots have been favorites, arising from their playful and do- 
cile manners in domestication, the-beauty of their plumage, and the nearly solitary 
example of imitating with comparative accuracy the voice and articulation of man. 
In ancient times, the extravagance with which these birds were sought after, either 
as ones! of amusement and recreation, or as luxuries for the table, surpasses, if 
possible, the many fashionable maniz of latter days. We find frequent allusions 
to these birds both in the prose and poetical writers, railing against the expenses 
‘of pace and maintenance, or celebrating their docility,.or their love-and gratitude 
to 
eir mistress ; and at the height and splendor of the then Mistress of the World, 
they were brought forward to the less honorablé avocation of conveying praise 
and flattery to the great. At the present period they are much sought after, and a 
“ good Parrot” will still bring a high price. . 
; Finteriropietl countyies are the natural abodes of the Psittacide, where they are 
gregarious, and present most conspicuous and noisy attraction, revelling in free or 
grotesque attitudes, among the forest and mountain’ glades, which, swtouk ‘these, 
and many other brilliant tenants, would present only a solitude of luxuriant vege- 
tation. It is-impossible, for any one who has only seen these birds ina cage or 
small enclosure, to conceive what must be the gorgeous appearance of a flock, 
either in full flight, and performing their various evolutions, under a vertical sun, or 
sporting among the superb, foliage of a tropical forest : 
In gaudy robes of many-colored patches, 
The Parrots swung like blossoms from the trees, 
While their harsh voices undeceived the ear. Ep, 
