228 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



ment, a bird of this species hoarsely crying, 'Pretty Poll! ' " This 

 traveller is of opinion that the Grey-breasted Parrakeet never 

 learns to speak distinctly. The assertion is, however, emphati- 

 cally denied by their affectionate admirer, Dr. D. A. Willink, of 

 Utrecht. He found a trained Grey-breasted Parrakeet in the 

 shop of a Mrs. Bianchi, at Nice, which made itself remarkable 

 chiefly by trying furiously to bite all strangers, and which, 

 consequently, no one would buy. '' As I visited the place 

 frequently, the bird soon became accustomed to me, and began 

 to speak. In French it could only say, ' To Arms ! ' and then it 

 would imitate the tattoo on a drum ; in Italian it could say,. 

 ' Rosetta, come here ! give me a kiss ! ' Further, it coughed 

 and laughed, and soon became so tame that it would come on 

 my finger and kiss me. I bought it, and it is now unusually 

 affectionate ; however, it is still vicious and unfriendly to every 

 stranger. It speaks as clearly as the best grey parrot, but, in 

 spite of this, has not left off its dreadful screech, which, unfor- 

 tunately, it utters only too often." Mr. Exner also writes of a 

 Grey-breasted Parrakeet, which he allows to fly freely in the 

 garden, and which has learnt to speak a great deal and to sing, 

 and can also laugh and cry. 



Anyone wishing to train a parrakeet of this species to speak 

 will do well to see that he gets a young bird ; and, for this 

 reason, I have clearly described the plumage in that stage. The- 

 duller the colour and the more indistinct the grey undulatory 

 lines on the neck and breast, the younger is the Quaker and the 

 more amenable to teaching will it prove. 



This species is usually offered for sale in couples, and then 

 either bought by ignorant amateurs, and disposed of again as 

 soon as possible, or else purchased with the intention of keeping 

 for breeding. The latter, indeed, gives rise to much excitement 

 and pleasure, and has already, in many instances, been attended 

 with successful results. In all cases this parrakeet has built 

 nests similar to those used in freedom. The Quaker Parrakeet 

 is well suited to zoological gardens, for it is hardy and strong, 

 and may be kept quite well through the winter in unheated 

 rooms. 



