The Speaking Parrots, 



Part I.— General. 



CHAP. I.— INTRODUCTION. 



Natural EndowmeiiU of the Parrot — Power of Imitating Speech, 

 — Various S}jeGies — Physical Characteristics of the Talking 

 SjJecies — Mental Endowments — The Parrot in Confinement — 

 The Parrots in their Native Countries — Trade in Parrots — 

 — Ill-treatment — Taming — Training. 



There are many advantages whicli the Parrot enjoys over all 

 other creatures, and even over man. 



We envy it principally on account of its wings, the splendid 

 gift with which kind Nature has endowed it, the power of soaring 

 upwards into the ether, and hovering there, high above all other 

 living creatures. Its fellows in the animal kingdom are behind 

 it also in many other respects, and especially in the power of 

 imitating human words. This capability of speech is not known 

 to exist amongst any of the other animals, except birds ; even 

 those quadrupeds which stand highest — the dog, the elephant, 

 the horse, and others not unfrequently displaying a truly 

 human sagacity — are denied this gift, though they may some- 

 times surpass the talking birds in mental power. Of course, not 



B 



