CAROLINA PARROT. 
161 
familiar with each other through the medium of Poll. On ar- 
riving 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 im- 
mediately 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, sometimes Poll’s head being thrust among the 
plumage of the other. On the death of this companion, she ap- 
peared 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 satisfac- 
tion. 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, instantly 
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 twen- 
ty-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 yellow; shoulder and bend of the wing also edged with 
rich orange red; the general colour of the rest of the plumage 
is a bright yellowish silky green, with light blue reflections, 
VOL. I. — z z 
