30 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



in a milky state, as it is usually called, may be given with 

 equal or even better effect, the same precaution being used. 

 As occasional tit-bits for the large talkers, hazel or walnuts, 

 the so-called Brazilian earth nuts, or even sweet almonds, may 

 be given, but a rule should be made that all such things should 

 first be carefully tasted, to make sure that no bad, decayed, 

 kernel or bitter almond be amongst them ; the last-named is 

 well known to be a poison, and it may here be incidentally 

 remarked that parsley is considered poisonous for parrots. All 

 southern fruits, such as bananas, dates, figs, oranges, &;c., should 

 not be given at all to the large speakers, or only with the 

 greatest caution, each fruit being carefully tasted first. In the 

 same way raw or boiled carrots, raw or roasted sweet chestnuts, 

 melons, raisins, and different berries should be avoided, for one 

 cannot be sure whether they may not be hurtful ; on the 

 contrary, perfectly ripe, fresh, or well-dried roan or service 

 berries may be given without hesitation. Green food I consider 

 superfluous for the members of this group ; salad, or leaves of 

 the different cabbages, are also dangerous. However, twigs to 

 gnaw may always be given, at first of dry, moderately-hard, 

 wood ; when quite accustomed to this, the bird may have 

 branches with bark, buds, or leaves, preference being given 

 to willow, poplar, all kinds of fruit trees, birch, beech, and 

 even pine woods. I consider the very hard woods, containing 

 tanning acids, as less suitable. Every parrot needs wood to 

 gnaw, firstly, as a natural employment for its beak, and, 

 secondly, as a fresh and suitable nourishment. An experienced 

 parrot keeper, Mr. C. Dulitz, has pointed out the true inclination 

 for animal or vegetable fat, and, in accordance with this opinion, 

 many amateurs give, every day, a little piece of bread not too 

 thickly spread with butter. Mr. Hagenbeck also allows a small 

 piece of light cake, not too fatty, but I prefer to give some good 

 light dry biscuit ; now and then a little piece of the best hard 

 sugar cannot do any harm. It is probably well known that all 

 the large parrots eat with avidity all kinds of human sustenance, 

 roast meat, vegetables, potatoes, and, indeed, strange to say, not 

 only sweet things, but also either salted, pickled, or peppery 

 delicacies, and cases have been known where a bird, thus fed, 

 has kept in excellent health and lived many years ; but, as a 

 rule, valuable parrots are lost by the use of such unnatural 

 food. The first consequence is frequently a miserable ailing 

 condition, in which the bird itself plucks out its feathers ; of 



