THE CAROLINA PARROT. 



115 



at Mr Dunbar's, below Natchez, I procured a cage, 

 and placed it under the piazza, where, by its call, 

 it soon attracted the passing flocks ; such is the 

 attachment they have for each other. Numerous 

 parties frequently alighted on the trees immediately 

 above, keeping up a constant conversation with the 

 prisoner. One of these I wounded slightly in the 

 wing, and the pleasure Poll expressed on meeting 

 with this new companion was really amusing. She 

 crept close up to it as it hung on the side of the 

 cage, chattering to it in a low tone of voice, as if 

 sympathizing in its misfortune, scratched about its 

 head and neck with her bill ; and both at night 

 nestled as close as possible to each other, sometimes 

 Poll's head being thrust among the plumage of the 

 other. On the death of this companion, she appeared 

 restless and inconsolable for several days. On 

 reaching New Orleans, I placed a looking glass 

 beside the place where she usually sat, and the 

 instant she perceived her image, all her former 

 fondness seemed to return, so that she could scarcely 

 absent herself from it a moment. It was evident 

 that she was completely deceived. Always when 

 evening drew on, and often during the day, she laid 

 her head close to that of the image in the glass, and 

 began to doze with great composure and satisfaction. 

 In this short space she had learnt to know her name ; 

 to answer and come when called on ; to climb up 

 my clothes, sit on my shoulder, and eat from my 

 mouth. I took her with me to sea, determined to 

 persevere in her education ; but, destined to another 



