ds 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.

PART ONE, CHAPTER NINE.

REPTILES.

TORTOISES:--THE LETTERED TERRAPIN.

Taking the reptiles in their natural order, we must begin with the
tortoises. There is a group of these slow-moving reptiles called
terrapins in North America. One of the most common is the lettered
terrapin, which inhabits rivers, lakes, and even marshes, where it lives
on frogs and worms. It is especially detested by the angler, as it is
apt to take hold of his bait, and when he expects to see a fine fish at
the end of his line, he finds that a little tortoise has hold of it.

The back is of a dark brown, the edges being ornamented with scarlet
marks, like some Eastern alphabet in form.

THE CHICKEN TORTOISE.

Large numbers of these little tortoises, about ten inches in length, are
seen basking together on the logs or stones on the borders of lakes or
streams. The slightest noise arouses them, when they slip off,
splashing in all directions into the water. They swim with their little
heads above the surface at a rapid rate, bearing a strong resemblance to
water-snakes. The creature takes its name from the similarity of its
flesh to that of a chicken. It is consequently in great requisition as
food.

THE SALT-WATER TERRAPIN.

Another species--the salt-water terrapin--lives in the salt marshes and
ponds. It is brown above, and generally yellow below