50 GBEY P ABBOT. 



"My house and plantation were situated at an elevation of some 

 1200 feet above the sea-level and opposite to the Pico de Papagaio, 

 a valley being between. From here I had an extensive view across to 

 the Pico; and observing a trail in the direction of the tree which this 

 particular flock of Parrots had taken for their resting-place, I deter- 

 mined to pay them a visit. As the distance did not seem to be very 

 great, I thought that by following the path visible from my house I 

 should have little difficulty in reaching the wished-for spot without 

 either guide or assistance. 



"Accordingly, on the 16th. of January, 1865, I set out unaccompanied, 

 at daybreak, for the place in question, and soon reached the edge of 

 the forest, but before I had penetrated very far it became evident 

 that my plan was not so easy of execution as I had imagined, for that 

 which from my window looked like a path, turned out to be merely 

 a rough track or trail overrun with rank vegetation, which only served 

 me for a short distance, and then became obliterated; this loss of track 

 brought me to a standstill. I was alone and had no knowledge of 

 the way, but being unwilling to return, having got thus far, I looked 

 about in hopes of discovering in this dense tangle some place through 

 which I might force a passage, but in vain; on all sides the lianos 

 and other climbing plants grew so thickly, and presented such a high 

 impenetrable barrier, that I felt to attempt to proceed further without 

 a guide would be unsafe, and at once decided to retrace my steps 

 and obtain the assistance of a native. From suirounding appearances 

 I was convinced that many Parrots were breeding there already, and 

 the idea of giving up a trip that promised such interesting results was 

 not to be thought of. I hastened back and soon reached my house 

 again. Having secured the aid of a native, who assured me that he 

 was able to make his way to the place and find his way back, I set 

 out again the same morning with the hope that this time my wish to 

 reach the abode of the Parrots would be realized. 



"At nine o'clock we started, and after a very fatiguing journey, during 

 which we had in many places literally to cut our way through the dense 

 undergrowth, reached one of the- places frequented by the Grey Parrots. 

 My gratification at this moment was extreme. What should be done? 

 Shoot as many of the old birds as presented themselves, or seek out 

 their nests and take the young ones home? We decided to take the 

 young birds. From the noise we knew that many Parrots were in 

 our vicinity: on all sides their joyful whistling resounded, and the falling 

 of pits, or husks, and the stones of fruits, sufficiently proved that many 

 were concealed in the trees about us. Up to this time we had not 

 seen any; they kept themselves so well hidden among the leaves that 



