CAROLINA PARROT. 



377 



globe, this is the only species found native within the territory 

 of the United States. The vast and luxuriant tracts lying 

 within the torrid zone, seem to be the favourite residence of 

 those noisy, numerous, and richly plumaged tribes. The 

 Count de Bnffon has, indeed, circumscribed the whole genus 

 of parrots to a space not extending more than twenty-three 

 degrees on each side of the equator : but later discoveries have 

 shewn this statement to be incorrect, as these birds have been 

 found on our continent as far south as the Straits of Magellan, 

 and even on the remote shores of Van Diemen's Land, in Terra 

 Australasia. The species now under consideration is also 

 known to inhabit the interior of Louisiana, and the shores 

 of the Mississippi and Ohio, and their tributary waters, even 

 beyond the Illinois river, to the neighbourhood of Lake 

 Michigan, in lat. 42 deg. north ; and, contrary to the generally 

 received opinion, is chiefly resident in all these places. East- 

 ward, however, of the great range of the Alleghany, it, is 

 seldom seen farther north than the state of Maryland ; though 

 straggling parties have been occasionally observed among 



possible, the many fashionable manise of latter days. We find frequent 

 allusions to these birds both in the prose and poetical writers, railing 

 against the expenses of price and maintenance, or celebrating their 

 docility or their love and gratitude to their mistress ; and at the height 

 and splendour of the then Mistress of the World, they were brought 

 forward to the less honourable avocation of conveying praise and 

 flattery to the great. At the present period they are much sought after, 

 and a "good parrot" will still bring a high price. 



Intertropical countries are the natural abodes of the Psittacidce, 

 where they are gregarious, and present most conspicuous and noisy 

 attraction, revelling in free or grotesque attitudes, among the forest and 

 mountain glades, which, without these, and many other brilliant 

 tenants, would present only a solitude of luxuriant vegetation. It is 

 impossible for any one who has only seen these birds in a cage or small 

 enclosure, to conceive what must be the gorgeous appearance of a flock, 

 either in full flight, and performing their various evolutions, under a 

 vertical sun, or sporting among the superb foliage of a tropical forest : 



In gaudy robes of many-colour'd patches 



The parrots swung like blossoms from the trees, 



While their harsh voices undeceived the ear. — Ed. 



