CAROLINA PARROT. 87 



It is better, seeing they are such sociable birds, to keep' several 

 pairs together; the greatest difficulty being to distinguish the sexes; 

 the female, however, has the inner webs of the first flight feathers 

 black, and she has rather less of the orange-red markings of the head 

 and face, that are so conspicuous a feature in the male. 



The young are entirely green until after the first moult, when the 

 head and face become yellow, and when in this immature state were 

 supposed to belong to a different species, and are described as such 

 by several writers. Latham supposed it to be identical with the Illinois 

 Parrot (Psittacus pertinax, Auctorum) ; but this is a much smaller species 

 found in South and Central America. 



When first imported the Oarolinas are generally very wild, but a 

 little judicious handling will soon tame them, when their shrill screams 

 will be much less frequently heard; for, like all the Psittacidce, they 

 give free vent to their feelings when alarmed; and, as they are naturally 

 timid, the unknown excites their apprehensions, and their outcries are 

 a natural sequence of their alarm. 



These birds are excellent parents, as might indeed be gathered from 

 the intense affection they display for each other, and brood and feed 

 their young with the utmost care and attention. 



They are to be fed on canary seed, millet, oats, maize, and bread- 

 crumbs; and, if they are nesting, a portion of the seed should be 

 prepared for them by soaking in cold water for a few hours. 



