214 THE SPEAKING PAEROTS. 



ledge of its habits in freedom. Beclistein says that in liis time it 

 had been frequently imported into Europe ; that it was fed on 

 hemp seed ; and that, though it screamed much and spoke little, 

 on account of its beauty and tameness it had many admirers. 

 It occupies a similar position at the present day ; for many novices, 

 dazzled by its brilliant plumage, buy it, and then discover that 

 it is far from suitable as a cage bird. It is true Dr. E. Eey, of 

 Halle, describes it as one which, if treated properly, may develop 

 great intelligence. One couple, indeed, showed so much clever- 

 ness that the ornithologist was of opinion that, in this respect, 

 the Carolina Parrakeet took precedence of all the Long-tailed 

 Parrots (either those which he had kept himself or otherwise 

 observed), and, moreover, that it even surpassed many of the 

 highly gifted Short-tailed species. Yet this same fancier admits 

 that it never becomes so affectionate as the other parrots ; but^ 

 on the contrary, always displays distrust and caution. 



The experience and observation of years has convinced me 

 that a Carolina Parrakeet, caught when old, is never susceptible 

 of taming and training, but always remains stupidly shy, obsti- 

 nate, and untamable ; though a very young bird, which happens 

 to fall into the hands of a judicious trainer who treats it pro- 

 perly, becomes as completely tame and familiar as any of its 

 congeners. As regards capacity for speech, certainly it can only 

 attain to second or third rank, and, even if it becomes unusually 

 tame and affectionate, it will at the best be wearisome by reason 

 of its intolerable screaming. It is extremely hardy and long- 

 lived. First, Dr. Eey, and afterwards Baron H. von Berlepsch 

 (the latter in several instances), accustomed it to fly in and out 

 of the house, and left it for the winter in a boarded apartment, 

 the walls of which were also of wood, and which was, of course, 

 a very cold place. It is generally kept in zoological gardens 

 in swing cages, which are left in the open air, usually quite un- 

 protected. The various attempts made at breeding have in but 

 few cases produced any satisfactory result. In the Zoological 

 Gardens the only effect was the laying of eggs ; but in my aviary 

 the young have become fledged, and Dr. Nowotny has met with 

 similar success. 



The Carolina Conure appears among us in large numbers and 

 is common in the trade. 



