Page [153]

GENUS 5. PSITTACUS. PARROT.
                  P. CHdROLINENSIS.
                  CAROLINA PARROT.
                  [Plate XXVI.-Fig. 1.]
LINN. SqJst. i, p. 97, ed. 10.-CATESBY, I, I 1--LAT111AM, 1, 227.--
  .ret. Zoo!. 242, Xao. 132. Ibid. 133.--PEALE'S Museum, JXo.
  762.*
  OF one hundred and sixty-eight kinds of Parrots, enumerated
by European writers as inhabiting the various regions of the
globe, this is the only species found native within the territory
of the United States. The vast and luxuriant tracts lying within
the torrid zone, seem to be the favourite residence of those
noisy, numerous, and richly-plumaged tribes. The count de
Buffon has, indeed, circumscribed the whole genus of Parrots
to a space not extending more than twventy-three degrees on
each side of the equator; but later discoveries have shown this
statement to be incorrect; as these birds have been found on
our continent as far south as the straits of Magellan, and even
on the remote shores of Van Diemen's Land, in Terra Aus-
tralasia. The species now under consideration is also known to
inhabit the interior of Louisiana, and the shores of the Missis-
sippi and Ohio, and their tributary waters, even beyond the
Illinois river, to the neighbourhood of lake Michigan, in lat.
420 North; and, contrary to the generally received opinion, is
chiefly resident in all these places. Eastward, however, of the
great range of the Alleghany, it is seldom seen farther north
* We add the following synonymes: La Perruche de la CarolineR. iass. 4,
p. 350.-Orantgr-headed Parrot; IATHL Gen. Sy?. 1, P. 3(4. le1d. Orn. 2y.
93.
  VOL. 1. -Y VI