248 The Scottish Naturalist. 



formed me that the gentleman who "interviewed," for the press 

 the Parrot and its doings, in other words the writer of the paper 

 (No. 1) in Chambers's Journal, was a clergyman whose name and 

 address he gave me. I visited the Mistress of the Bird — the 

 Photographer's mother — in her Country quarters ; and I saw the 

 Parrot for myself. From all that I heard and saw, I had no 

 difficulty in coming to the conclusion, that the clerical writer 

 had given a faithful account of the Bird's performances ; and 

 that these Talking feats of the Parrot — a plain looking grey one 

 — well deserved being placed on record. « I was myself struck 

 in particular with the following features in the character of what 

 may conveniently be called the Truefitt Parrot, from the name 

 of its owners : — 



( 1 ) Its apropos remarks are notorious. Instances were given me 

 by (a) Mrs. Truefitt — the animal's mistress, whose pet it 

 especially is, who has trained it, and with whom it habitually 

 lives ; (b) her daughter, Miss Truefitt, an artist in colours ; (c) 

 her son, Mr. Truefitt, the Photographer aforesaid; and (d) Mr. 

 Nisbet, who was, at the time of my visit to the country quarters 

 of the family at Cramond, a lodger in the house, and had his 

 easel fitted up in the same room occupied by the Bird — the 

 kitchen. Its appropriate remarks had reference to such common- 

 place events as dinner; its master's home-coming in the evening; 

 going to bed of the family; and the entrance of strangers, before 

 whom it is shy and taciturn, but observant. I was unfortunate 

 in seeing the Parrot shortly before the dinner hour, and when 

 he had been taking a forenoon nap ; and for other reasons he 

 was not, on the occasion of my visit, at all in a demonstrative 

 mood, disposed to show himself off to advantage, which he can 

 do, and knows he can do. 



(2.) His wonderful Mimicry of the cat, dog, cock, and human 

 voice, including whistling and singing. There could be no 

 doubt of the distinctness of his Articulation. 



(3.) His successful Deception of the family dog "Jack." 

 The parrot cheats him constantly by his whistle, which Jack 

 obeys or answers. 



a This gentleman described for instance how the Parrot called his master ; 

 ordered the servant "with an air of authority ;" made enquiries "in a most 

 pathetic voice," and requests "in a most affectionate voice," or uttered 

 exclamations "in a waesome manner;" cajoled, scolded, hurrahed; and ex- 

 hibited joy unbounded on the appearance of his favourites. 



