124 
BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
the cornfields near Mathewstown and cause great destruction to the 
crops. At this season they become quite tame, and quantities of 
them are killed by the negroes. We found them abundant near 
Northwest Point during the month of June, but at that time they 
were very shy and difficult to shoot. The natives capture them 
when young, and they become very tame and learn to speak quickly. 
One afternoon, while shooting in the vicinity of Northwest 
Point, Inagua, I suddenly came upon a large flock of Parrots, which 
flew from one tree to another, uttering harsh cries as I approached 
One specimen which I shot was merely wing-tipped, and with the 
aid of my coat I was enabled to capture the little fellow, without 
giving him a chance to use his bill, which, from the way he screamed 
and struggled, he evidently had a great desire to do. He lived for 
several days, and became quite docile ; but one morning being left 
alone, his curiosity prompted him to explore among some freshly 
poisoned skins, and upon my return I found him lying dead upon 
the floor of the cabin. 
The eggs of this species are generally deposited in a hollow tree. 
The negroes say that of late years the nest is rarely found, as the 
birds repair to the interior of the island to breed. 
