viii PREFACE. 



trusting to my Laving used the same in conjunction with my 

 own experiences, conscientiously and intelligently, may be able 

 to judge whether I could venture, with perfect confidence, to 

 fulfil the task before me. 



In accordance with its title, this book deals exclusively with 

 those Parrots which have, up to the present time, been clearly 

 proved to be gifted with speech. 



Considering that such a work as the present must assuredly 

 attain a certain international value, I have not only treated or 

 the conditions of the bird trade in its entirety, but also have 

 added, as fully as possible, the names of the birds described, in 

 the languages of the four countries (England, Germany, France, 

 and Holland) into which the importation of Parrots chiefly takes 

 place. In this, as in all my other writings, I have avoided 

 mentioning names which have been arbitrarily or unsuitably 

 applied, preference being given to the already existing appella- 

 tions, so far as they prove suitable. Where it has been deemed 

 advisable to introduce new names, I have also given the scientific 

 appellation ; and if this was not practicable, such an one has 

 been chosen as best agrees w^ith the peculiarities of the bird, or 

 a name given by means of which the merits of some eminent 

 explorer, connoisseur, keeper, or breeder, may be honoured. 



In the practical use of this manual, I would suggest the 

 observance of the following direction : The name by which the 

 bird is known to the reader should be sought in the Index, and 

 then also all those parts in which it is mentioned by that or its 

 other appellations should be carefully perused. The chapters 

 on " Purchase and Reception," "The Cage," '"Food," ''Taming 

 and Training," ''Preservation of Health," and "Diseases" 

 should be attentively studied, as only by this means can guidance 

 and advice in any case be found as desired. 



Among the numerous works which have appeared of late 

 upon bird fancying, treatment, and breeding, the present is 

 probably the only one which concerns itself particularly and 

 exclusively with the subject in hand. I therefore wish all the 

 more earnestly that it may entirely fulfil the expectations which 

 all lovers of Speaking Parrots are justified in entertaining with 

 regard to it. 



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