108 



THE CAROLINA PARROT. 



suddenly reascending, they all settle on the tree 

 that bears the fruit of which they are in quest, or 

 on one close to the field in which they expect to 

 regale themselves." 



Wilson says, " They are particularly attached to 

 the large sycamores, in the hollow of the trunks and 

 branches of which they generally roost, thirty or 

 forty, and 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 during the day, probably to take their regular 

 siesta. They are extremely sociable with, 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 j 

 perpendicular position, supported by their bill and i 

 claws. In the fall, when their favourite cockle burs I 

 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 con- 

 fess, I think their flesh very indifferent. I have 

 several times dined on it from necessity, in the 

 woods : but found it merely passable, with all the 

 sauce of a keen appetite to recommend it." 



Audubon is of opinion, " that their flesh is tole- 

 rable food when they are young, on which account ' 

 many of them are shot. The skin of their body is • 

 usually much covered with the mealy substance 

 detached from the roots of the feathers. The head 



