CAROLINA PARROT. 
87 
It is better, seeing they are such sociable birds, to keep several 
pairs together; the greatest difficulty being to distinguish the sexes; 
the female, however, has the inner webs of the first flight feathers 
black, and she has rather less of the orange-red markings of the head 
and face, that are so conspicuous a feature in the male. 
The young are entirely green until after the first moult, when the 
head and face become yellow, and when in this immature state were 
supposed to belong to a different species, and are described as such 
by several writers. Latham supposed it to be identical with the Illinois 
Parrot (Psittacus pcrtincix, Auctorum); but this is a much smaller species 
found in South and Central America. 
When first imported the Carolinas are generally very wild, but a 
little judicious handling will soon tame them, when their shrill screams 
will be much less frequently heard; for, like all the Psittacidce, they 
give free vent to their feelings when alarmed; and, as they are naturally 
timid, the unknown excites their apprehensions, and their outcries are 
a natural sequence of their alarm. 
These birds are excellent parents, as might indeed be gathered from 
the intense affection they display for each other, and brood and feed 
their young with the utmost care and attention. 
They are to be fed on canary seed, millet, oats, maize, and bread- 
crumbs; and, if they are nesting, a portion of the seed should be 
prepared for them by soaking in cold water for a few hours. 
