GREY PARROT. 53 



Papagaio, and discovered several holes, many of which probably con- 

 tained nests, but we were not able to climb up to see, the trunks 

 being so smooth and thick. 



"We set out on our return for my plantation at noon, and arrived 

 there safely at 4 p.m. Although my excursion had furnished me with 

 the small result of six living Parrots, three dead ones, and one egg, 

 yet the exertion this had entailed brought on a severe fever, which 

 developed itself as soon as I got home and confined me to my house 

 for several days. 



"While on the Pico I availed myself of such a favourable opportunity, 

 and took particular notice of the habits of this bird. The first thing 

 I observed was that it is always found in flocks, which flocks go 

 about over the island during the day, returning to their own appointed 

 place on the mountain in the evening to roost. Their food consists 

 of fruits, such as the palm nut, the avocat (Laurns per sea), the banana 

 (Musa paradisea), goyave, mango, and many other fruits of a smaller 

 kind, but they always give the preference to palm nuts. 



"They drink but little, and as no water is found on the Pico they 

 must obtain what they require during the day on the lowland. They 

 make no nest, but deposit their eggs (which are from two to four in 

 number) on the bottom of the hole. The eggs are in size, shape, and 

 colour similar to those of the Wood Pigeon (Columba palumhus): when 

 unblown they are of a pinkish hue, which may be owing to the thin- 

 ness of the shell. Both birds take it by turns to sit, and while one 

 is sitting the other often comes and feeds it out of its crop. The 

 young ones are fed in the same way. In time of danger the old birds 

 defend their progeny vigorously, and should the enemy prove too 

 strong to be successfully resisted by one pair, other Parrots come up 

 to their assistance, and joining forces either kill or put the aggressor 

 to flight. 



"The Grey Parrot delights to dwell in companies: many nests are 

 found within a few feet of each other, and often in one tree two or 

 more holes may be seen occupied by hatching pairs. 



"The young birds are covered with a long and fluffy down, which 

 afterwards, when moulting, falls off. Their first plumage is darker, 

 and the iris dark grey, instead of pale yellow. They leave the nest 

 when about four weeks old, but may be seen looking outside the hole 

 some time before they are able to fly. They grow quickly, and the 

 feathers get gradually paler; when two months old the first moulting 

 begins, which lasts about five weeks, after which the plumage is similar 

 to that of the old birds, although the edges of the feathers are not 

 so pale and the cheeks and forehead not so white as in old individuals. 



