128 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 
had the satisfaction, several months later, of learning 
that mine were the first ever sent to America. Dges 
it not seem strange that though Columbus, in 1493, 
when he approached this island of Dominica, es- 
pecially noticed the “flights of parrots and other 
tropical birds,” nearly four hundred years should 
elapse before one of these parrots should reach the 
continent he was the means of discovering? 
This bird is peculiar to the island and is found 
nowhere else. Its cry is harsh, somewhat resembling 
the cry of the wild turkey. It does not, like the small 
parrots, associate in flocks, but is always found in 
pairs; once mated, they are sundered only by death. 
Morning and evening, when feeding, they cry out 
noisily, but at other times are silent; though if a gun 
be fired within their hearing, or a tree fall, they will 
all scream loudly and harshly once or twice, and then 
subside into perfect silence. They are shy and wild, 
since in the autumn months they are much hunted, 
being then fat and delicious. In size, they are nearly 
as large as a fowl, being twenty-three inches long and 
thirty-six in extent of wings. In color, they are bright 
green above and purple beneath, with metallic reflec- 
tions. Rarely does it descend to the valleys, as its 
favorite food is in the mountains. Its nest is made in 
the broken shaft of a palm, very high from the ground. 
The young, if obtained early, will readily learn to 
talk. 
While the two Indians were away looking for 
more parrots, an accident happened to one of my 
birds which greatly excited my ire. I had skinned 
both birds and plentifully besprinkled them with 
arsenic, and had left them on a log near the ajoupa, 
