TAMING AND TRAINING. 45 



creature. In this way many authors have allowed themselves 

 to be carried away, so that they have given most extraordinary 

 accounts of the accomplishments of these speakers. "Only 

 too often," says Eowley, speaking on this subject, "has the 

 endeavour been made to ascribe to the bird the complete and 

 clear understanding of the sentence uttered, without considering 

 that the partiality of the owner deceives him only too easily 

 — for the wish is father to the thought." Such an exaggerated 

 notion may be avoided by adhering simply to facts. It must 

 always be recollected that the parrot has understanding, but 

 not reason, that it can think and draw conclusions, but has 

 not the power of perceiving, as we do, psychologically. It 

 would be very unjust to maintain that the parrot merely chatters 

 words mechanically, without ever having any idea of the 

 meaning. How coaxingly it begs for some tit-bit, how angrily 

 it can scold if it does not get it, how joyfully it chatters 

 when its master returns after a long absence, and cries welcome 

 to him. When anyone goes away, it will always say, " Good 

 bye!" and not "1 am glad to see you!" and when someone 

 knocks it will say, "Come in ! " When it wishes for something, 

 it will say, "Please!" and "Thank you!" when it receives it. 

 How attentively it heeds its lesson, and how well it can express 

 its pleasure when it has learnt something new. These are 

 facts which cannot be questioned, and which can be confirmed 

 by everyone who has observed these birds closely. Indeed, it is 

 true that the parrot is not merely raised by the gift of speech 

 far above other animals, but that in mental talents — 'in which 

 respect the dog alone can be compared to it — it is nearly 

 allied to man. 



I would also direct attention to the fact that as a parrot 

 progresses in learning it at the same time increases greatly 

 in value. A Grey Parrot, or one of the so-called Amazon 

 Parrots, which may be bought in a raw condition, for 20s., 

 24s., 30s., 45s., to 60s., can be sold for double the sum 

 when it speaks a word or two, and will fetch £10 when it 

 can say some sentences, or even much more, say from £15 

 to £50, when taught many things. 



One of the great advantages of parrots in general as cage 

 birds is the small amount of attention which they need. 

 All who have considered how simply and inexpensively these 

 very valuable birds can be managed, must agree with me in 

 this. A further peculiarity of parrots, especially of the larger 



