GRAY, OR AFRICAN PARROT. 137 



which have propagated their kind in a domestic 

 state. They are docile and intelligent, and form 

 strong attachments to those who feed them. 

 When young they are easily taught, and are 

 possessed of good memories, never forgetting 

 what they have once learned. A few years ago 

 I had one in my possession for some time. I 

 taught him to whistle, " Over the water to Char- 

 ley.^ He whistled it clearly and correctly, and 

 would speak some sentences very distinctly. 

 I have had some of them since, which have 

 showed the same facility in learning. 



FOOD. The common staple diet for Parrots is 

 bread and milk, as for Thrushes ; for this I have 

 substituted for them, as well as the Thrushes, 

 Indian meal and milk, and find it much better 

 food for them. I had one of this species last 

 summer, for two months, which I fed on meal 

 and milk, and, two or three times a week, a piece 

 of apple. He moulted during that time, and 

 when he left me he was in beautiful plumage, and 

 good health ; and I have in my possession now, a 

 Green Parrot, which has no other food but a little 

 mug of meal and milk, every morning. He is 

 also moulting freely, and is in as good health as 

 ever I saw a bird in that state. This season is 



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