18 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



always sliy and friglatened or distrustful of anyone whom it 

 supposes guilty of an offence of this kind towards it. 



On the arrival of many, indeed of most large parrots, it 

 may be noted, an extremely disagreeable surprise is in store 

 for the recipient, especially if he has no previous knowledge 

 of the character and behaviour of such a bird. The anxiously 

 expected Grey Parrot having arrived by the carrier, proceeds 

 to fill the whole house with horror, for it screams " like a 

 stuck pig ; " it can be quieted neither by kindness nor by 

 anger, and behaves like a wild, untaught, unmanageable 

 creature which cannot be treated by gentle means. Hence 

 many an amateur has had his pleasure spoilt for ever, and only 

 the connoisseur understands that it is exactly such birds 

 which promise the best results, because they have the best 

 talent. The great truth, *' The beginning is always difficult," 

 must be recognised and remembered, especially in the fancy 

 for parrots, for in hardly anything else do such splendid results 

 and future pleasure repay the first difficulties. 



As soon as water and food have been placed in the permanent 

 cage, the travelling case, with open door, should be placed 

 directly opposite the open door of the former, so that the bird 

 without any force may come out of the one and enter the other, 

 and, if this should not take place quickly, patience must be 

 exercised. If the parrot be so shy, and at the same time so 

 stupid that it will not voluntarily leave the case, then a 

 stranger, an entirely indifferent person, as said before, must 

 catch it and take it out. This person, having drawn strong 

 doeskin gloves on both hands, must wind a coarse linen towel 

 round the right hand, and then, boldly and quickly, seize the 

 parrot from behind by the head and neck, so that it cannot bite. 

 This must be done with skill and caution, so that the valuable 

 creature may not be in the least hurt. With the left hand 

 it must be pushed at once, without delay, into the permanent 

 cage, of which the door must be shut and the parrot left as 

 long as possible to itself. 



If instead of a cage it is preferred to keep it on a ring or 

 stand, it is most advisable that the inexperienced amateur, 

 when giving the order to the dealer, should request him to put 

 on the ring and chain in readiness. If it be necessary for the 

 owner to have it done on arrival, then the bird should be seized 

 as described above, but the beak should be held shut, and the 

 head wrapped loosely in a cloth, then it is best to draw forward 



