CAROLINA PARROT. 



381 



among the brancnes. They fly very much like the wild 

 pigeon, in close compact bodies, and with great rapidity, 

 making a loud and outrageous screaming, not unlike that of 

 the red-headed woodpecker. Their flight is sometimes in a 

 direct line ; but most usually circuitous, making a great 

 variety of elegant and easy serpentine meanders, as if for 

 pleasure. They are particularly attached to the large syca- 

 mores, in the hollow of the trunks and branches of which 

 they generally roost, thirty or forty, sometimes more, entering 

 at the same hole. Here they cling close to the sides of the 

 tree, holding fast by the claws and also by the bills. They 

 appear to be fond of sleep, and often retire to their holes dur- 

 ing the day, probably to take their regular siesta. They are 

 extremely sociable, and fond of each other, often scratching 

 each other's heads and necks, and always, at night, nestling 

 as close as possible to each other, preferring, at that time, a 

 perpendicular position, supported by their bill and claws. In 

 the fall, when their favourite cockle burs are ripe, they swarm 

 along the coast, or high grounds of the Mississippi, above 

 New Orleans, for a great extent. At such times, they are 

 killed and eaten by many of the inhabitants ; though, I confess, 

 I think their flesh very indifferent. I have several times 

 dined on it from necessity, in the woods, but found it merely 

 possible, with all the sauce of a keen appetite, to recommend 

 it. 



A very general opinion prevails, that the brains and intestines 

 of the Carolina paroquet are a sure and fatal poison to cats. I 

 had determined, when at Big Bone, to put this to the test of 

 experiment ; and for that purpose collected the brains and 

 bowels of more than a dozen of them. But after close search, 

 Mistress Puss was not to be found, being engaged, perhaps, 

 on more agreeable business. I left the medicine with Mr 

 Colquhoun's agent, to administer it at the first opportunity, 

 and write me the result ; but I have never yet heard from 

 him. A respectable lady near the town of Natchez, and on 

 whose word I can rely, assured me, that she herself had made 



