CAROLINA PARROT. 
163 
of plumage. A number of these birds, in all their grades of 
progressive change from green to yellow, have been deposited 
in Peale’s museum. 
What is called by Europeans the Illinois Parrot, [Psittacus 
pertinax) is evidently the young bird in its imperfect colours. 
Whether the present species be found as far south as Brasil, as 
these writers pretend, I am unable to say; but from the great 
extent of country in which I have myself killed and examined 
these birds, I am satisfied that the present species, now described, 
is the only one inhabiting the United States. 
Since the foregoing was written, I have had an opportunity, 
by the death of a tame Carolina Paroquet, to ascertain the fact 
of the poisonous effects of their head and intestines on cats. 
Having shut up a cat and her two kittens, (the latter only a few 
days old, ) in a room with the head, neck, and whole intestines 
of the Paroquet, I found on the next morning the whole eaten, 
except a small part of the bill. The cat exhibited no symptom 
of sickness; and at this moment, three days after the experiment 
has been made, she and her kittens are in their usual health. 
Still, however, the effect might have been different, had the 
daily food of the bird been cockle burrs, instead of Indian corn. 
Note — From Mr. T. Peale, wbo was attached to the expe- 
dition commanded by Major Long, I learn, that during the 
time the party wintered at Engineer Cantonment, nearly eight 
hundred miles up the Missouri, they observed this species, at 
various periods, from the beginning of December, until the mid- 
dle of February, although the thermometer (Fahrenheit) once 
sunk as low as 22° below zero. Mr. Peale is of opinion that the 
Paroquet migrates rather in quest of food, than in consequence 
of the cold. Being, like the wild Pigeon, a bird of vigorous 
wing, and of a roving disposition, a journey of a few hundred 
miles can occasion it but a very little trouble. G. Ord. 
