Psittacus Carolinensis, LINNÆUS[26]; La Perruche à tête jaune,
BUFFON, pl. enl. 499; Der Carolinische Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is about the size of a turtle-dove; its length is thirteen
inches, of which the tail measures at least half. The beak is as white
as ivory, the membrane and naked circle of the eyes, as well as the feet
and claws, greyish white; the front of the head of a beautiful orange,
the back, the nape of the neck, and the throat, light yellow; the rest
of the neck, the back, breast, belly, and sides, are green; the tail is
green, and very wedge-shaped.
OBSERVATIONS.--A native of Guiana; this pretty parrot also breeds in
Carolina, and sometimes even penetrates into Virginia in large flocks
during the fruit season, making great ravages among the nuts, of
which it only eats almonds, rejecting all others. It is frequently
brought to Europe; and in Paris it is the species of parrot which
costs the most. It is fed, says Buffon, on hemp seed; but it is
better to add white bread soaked in water, or boiled milk which is
not sour, wheat, Indian corn, and the like. Its cry is frequent; it
is rather wicked, and does not speak; but it well makes up for this
by its beauty, the elegance of its form, its graceful movements, and
its strong and almost exclusive attachment to its mistress; it likes
to hang by the beak, even while sleeping, and will let itself be
carried thus every where without moving for a very long time.