A RARE PARROT 149 



Mocking-birds* and Carolina thrushesj were 

 very common, and we also shot specimens of a 

 handsome woodpecker:|: peculiar to the island, 

 and one of the tamest birds I have ever seen. 



Grand Cayman is the home of a species of parrot§ 

 found nowhere else. We wished to obtain 

 specimens of this bird, but were told that they 

 were all gathered together in the tallest mangrove 

 trees on the north side, to which they retire for 

 nesting, but as soon as they had finished breeding 

 they were to be seen in numbers all over the island. 

 Several were brought alive on board, and some 

 were purchased for about six shillings apiece — 

 a very low price for such a rare bird. I could not 

 get any wild specimens near the settlement, so 

 I arranged to go over to the north end for them. 

 As I had but twenty-four hours at my disposal 

 I had my doubts as to whether I should even see 

 any parrots. However, I resolved to try, and 

 accordingly the Governor placing a guide at my 

 disposal, we set out late one afternoon, and after 

 a drive of some miles arrived at our destination 

 shortly before dark. Here we obtained rooms 

 in a farmhouse, where I was considerably cheered 

 by the information that a number of parrots had 

 been seen close by a few hours before. 



At daybreak next morning we started for a long 

 walk to the nearest belt of mangrove trees. For 



* Mimus Orpheus. f GaUoscoptea caroUnensia. 



X Melanerpes caymanensie. § Chryeotia caymanensia. 



M 



