DAMASK PARItOT. 



of day commences they again seek the recesses of 

 the woods, in order to enjoy the refreshment of 

 the shade ; and at this time they keep a silence so 

 profound, that not a single bird shall be heard by 

 a person sitting beneath a tree which contains le- 

 gions in its upper part; but on the report of a 

 gun the whole group fly off with the rapidity of 

 lightning, and with a confused mixture of the 

 most discordant cries. When this their resting 

 or sleeping-time is elapsed, they again disperse, 

 in order to gain their second or evening meal, 

 when all the flocks of the whole canton again as- 

 semble, with much noise and animation; and this 

 is the signal for their second visit to the water, 

 which is often at a great distance, since no other 

 than the purest water will please them. They are 

 then seen huddling or rolling over each other 

 pell-mell on the banks of the water, frolicking 

 together, dipping their heads and wings into the 

 water in such a manner as to scatter it over all 

 th^ir plumage, and exhibiting a most entertaining 

 spectacle to the observer. This ceremonial being 

 finished, they revisit the trees on which they as- 

 sembled at sunrise, where they sit in order to ad- 

 just and preen their feathers; and this being 

 finished, they fly off in pairs, each pair seeking its 

 particular retirement in the woods, where they 

 wait till morning. 



The male and female of this species resemble 

 each other, except that the. male is a degree larger, 

 and the colours, especially the marigold and green, 

 somewhat brighter than in the female. 



