While viewing the birds of North America, we cannot pass by the
well-known, handsome Carolina parrot, which is, notwithstanding its
common name, a species of macaw. Large numbers of these beautiful birds
are seen winging their way in compact bodies through the Southern
States, flying with great rapidity and uttering a loud outrageous
scream, not unlike that of the red-headed woodpecker. Sometimes their
flight is in a direct line, but generally they perform a variety of
elegant and serpentine meanders in their course through the air. Often
they may be seen pitching on the large sycamore-trees, in the hollow
trunks of which, as also among the branches, they generally roost--
frequently forty and more together. Here they cling close to the side
of the tree, holding fast by claws and bill. No creatures can be more
sociable, and they may be observed scratching each other's heads and
necks, and always nestling closely together.
Their plumage is mostly green washed with blue, but the forehead is of a
reddish-orange--as are the shoulders, head, and wings, while the neck
and back of the head are of a bright golden yellow. The wing-coverts
are yellow tinged with green. The bird is about twenty-one inches long.
The female is much like the male. She makes her nest in the hollows of
trees.
The Carolina parrot exhibits great amiability of disposition, and is
easily tamed, becoming much attached to those who treat it kindly. It
also exhibits the most extraordinary affection for its own race. Wilson
the naturalist, having obtained one while on a journey to the Far West,
brought it home upwards of one thousand miles in his pocket. It quickly
learned to know its name, and would immediately come when called.
Procuring a cage, he placed the parrot under a piazza, where, by its
call, it soon attracted the passing flocks of its relatives. Numerous
parties frequently alighted on the trees immediately above, keeping up a
constant conversation with the prisoner. One of these was wounded and
captured. Poll evinced the greatest pleasure on meeting with this new
companion. She crept close up to it, chattering in a low tone of voice,
as if sympathising in its misfortune, scratching its head and neck with
her bill--at night, both nestling as closely as possible to each other,
sometimes Poll's head being thrust amongst the plumage of the other.
The stranger, however, died, and Poll appeared restless and inconsolable
for several days. On a looking-glass, however, being procured, the
instant she perceived her image all her former fondness seemed to
return, so that she could scarcely absent herself from it for a moment.
It was evident she was completely deceived. Often when evening drew on,
as also during the day, she laid her head close to that of the image in
the glass, and began to dose with great composure and satisfaction.
On another occasion several of these birds were shot down, when the
whole flock swept rapidly round their prostrate companions, and settled
on a low tree within twenty yards of them. Although many were killed,
the rest, instead of flying away, continued looking down at their dead
companions with manifest signs of sympathy and concern.
They render the farmer great service, by eating the cockle-burs which
grow on the rich alluvial soil of Carolina. This prickly fruit is apt
to come off on the wool of the sheep, which, in some places, it almost
completely destroys. The bird also lives on the beech-nut and seeds of
the cypress. The head--with the brains--and intestines of the Carolina
parrot are said to be poisonous to eat; but how far such is the case
seems to be a matter of doubt.
Its chief abode is along the shores of the Mississippi, and it reaches
the neighbourhood of Lake Michigan; but eastward of the Alleghany
Mountains it is seldom met with further north than the State of
Maryland. Far more hardy than the generality of the parrot tribe, a
flock has been seen facing a snow-storm along the banks of the Ohio.