CAROLINA PARROT 



97 



cured 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, chattered 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, some- 

 times PolFs head being thrust among the plumage of the other. 

 On the death of this companion, she appeared restless and incon- 

 solable for several days. On reaching New Orleans, I placed a 

 looking glass beside the place where she usually sat, and the in- 

 stant 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 fate, poor Poll, having one morning about day- 

 break wrought her way through the cage, while I was asleep, in- 

 stantly flew overboard, and perished in the gulf of Mexico. 



The Carolina, or Illinois Parrot, (for it has been described 

 under both these appellations) is thirteen inches long, and twenty- 

 one in extent; forehead and cheeks orange red ; beyond this, for 

 an inch and a half, down and round the neck, a rich and pure yel- 

 low; shoulder and bend of the wing also edged with rich orange 

 red. The general color of the rest of the plumage is a bright yel- 

 lowish silky green, with light blue reflexions, lightest and most di- 



VOL. III. B b 



