14 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



can hardly be taught anything. Whoever has opportunity, 

 and knows something of the birds, will do well to select a 

 Grey Parrot at the dealers'. Otherwise one must depend on 

 the honesty of the seller. The first method certainly requires 

 somewhat strong nerves ; for one must have heard the screeching 

 which a number of Grey Parrots — say from eight to twenty — 

 utter when packed together in one case, in order to be able 

 to estimate what a great amount of affectionate interest is 

 necessary if a novice is not to be frightened away for good 

 and all. In the treatment, care, and training of such an 

 untamed bird experience is needed, as I said before, from the 

 want of which one may be exposed to annoyance and loss. 

 Above al], knowledge of the previous management is necessary. 

 When the parrots — mostly very young ones — have passed 

 through the difficulties and dangers of the journey, and 

 begin a hard struggle for life in becoming accustomed to 

 our raw climate, the change of food, and the usage, which 

 must terrify them greatly, and if they are not protected from 

 draughts, changes of temperature, and other hurtful influences, 

 yet nevertheless continue to thrive, there is certainly in this 

 a proof that they possess an extraordinary and astonishing 

 constitution. Of course, many are lost in this process, and 

 in order to avoid this the greatest attention must be paid 

 to the golden rule that every bird, like every animal, may 

 be brought to exchange one kind of food for another without 

 difficulty or danger, if it be done gradually ; but every 

 sudden change works destruction, almost without exception. The 

 bird, must, therefore, be managed at first exactly according to 

 the directions of the dealer, and then accustomed, as its 

 health may permit — perhaps after some weeks — to more suitable 

 food, about which I shall give further details later on. 

 This must be done in the following manner : The former 

 food must be given in gradually lessening quantities, and the 

 difference made up by the new. In case of necessity we must 

 try to force the bird by hunger to take the latter. The 

 example of a comrade which has long been accustomed to 

 it is a great help, if placed beside the new arrival. 



In every transaction in living animals there are on the one 

 side self-deceptions which are very difficult to avoid, and on 

 the other, more dishonesty than in most bargains. It is a 

 melancholy, but nevertheless undeniable fact, that only too often 

 one party seeks to overreach the other, and that real or sup- 



