340 TTTE FFATHEHED TRTRES. 



can take as many parrots, for they will not attempt to escape, unless the cord presses 

 tightly on their necks. 



All these birds are susceptible of education, but the young are more so than tlie old. 

 The means emjiloycd consist in imposing certain punishments ujion them, such as 

 immersing them in very cold water, of which they are greatly afraid, or puffing at them 

 with tobacco smoke. Rewards are also used, and when they perform what is desired, such 

 things are given them as they j)rcfer, more especiLilly sugar and sweet wine. Thej^ are 

 tamed and kejit obedient by taking them with boldness, and speaking to them with 

 authority and in a loud tone of voice. 



They may thus be taught to perform various gestures and assume different postures. 

 Some will lie down on their backs, and rise ouh' at the master's command ; others will 

 perform exercises with a stick, or dance in a manner more or less grotesque. They are 

 taught by constantly repeating close to them such words as thcV are wished to learn. 

 Success, however, does not always depend on such endeavours. Some species are better 

 disposed than others for this kind of education, and the same is the case with different 

 individuals of the same species. 



In no case should the greatest attainments of these birds bo ranked too highly. Their 

 imitative powers do not of themselves entitle them to any marked superiority over others, 

 and still less to the possession of anything approaching to human intelligence. The 

 imitation is nothing but an organic mimicry, dcpeiuling, certainly, on the conformation 

 of the voice, and, probably, on some peculiar aptitude of the ears. Nor should it bo over- 

 looked that the capacity of articulating words is not exclusively confined to this genus. 

 Pies, jays, blackbirds, stares, and others, and even small birds, can imitate human speech, 

 more or less, from organic facility, rather than the possession of any superior intelligence. 

 The ear of such animals, though different from ours, has the power of delicately appre- 

 ciating sounds. This faculty is observable among certain individuals of our own species, 

 and it is scarcely necessary to remark, that neither that power, nor a facility of mimicking 

 sounds in general, is always accompanied by a marked intellectual superiority. Tlie 

 reverse, indeed, is often strikingly remarkable. 



It is admitted, however, that the parrots have a great superiority over birds in genci\al 

 in their relation to man. They attach themselves to those who tamed them, display 

 aversion to those who have ill-treated them, and that with marked discrimination. It 

 has been said that the males attach themselves to women in ])rei'erence to men, and 

 exhibit much ill-temper towards the latter ; while exactly the reverse takes place witli 

 the females. M. Yieillot declares the assertion to be well founded, and instances the case 

 of a male ash-coloured parrot, in his own possession, which he never could approach 

 without being provided with thick leather gloves ; and yet the bird was perfectly 

 obedient, in • all respects, to Madame Vieillot, and exhibited the greatest fondness 

 towards that lady; while, on the other hand, a I'einale of the same species showed great 

 attachment to the naturalist. 



THE .\S1I-C0L01IU;I) 01! <il!AY P.\KROT.* 



This well-known species, though not conspicuous lV>r the brilliancy and variety 

 of plumage which distinguish the great majority of the tribe, is remarkable for 

 its docility and miuiicry, the faculty it possesses of imitating the human voice, as well 

 as any other sound, its never-ceasing garrulity, and its clear and distinct articulation. 

 In most of these particulars it surpasses the rest of its congeners, on which account it 

 has alwavs been held in liigh estimation by the bird-fancier and lover of living' curio- 



• Psittaons l'',rvtliacus.--TJiin. 



