230 THE SPEAKING PABROTS. 



native country as cage birds, yet they are hardly so frequently 

 taken from the nest and reared by hand as are the larger species, 

 but are more often caught when old. Owing to their amiability 

 and trustful boldness, this is astonishingly simple. With a bird 

 which can be used as a decoy it is easy to catch a whole flock by 

 means of a horse-hair snare attached to a stick, or with a twig 

 smeared with birdlime. They do not appear shy, even at the 

 outset, like other birds, and though at first a little frightened, 

 yet soon become bold, and even impudent, for they unite to 

 attack the hand that feeds them, as if it were that of an 

 enemy. Nodding their heads and with raised wings, uttering 

 piercing cries, they appear very quarrelsome, and at the same 

 time very comical, but at the least threat fly terrified into 

 a corner. They nestle closely together in the most loving 

 manner, whether they are a pair or two of the same sex. 

 All their arrangements as to eating, drinking, flapping the 

 wings, or sudden burst of chattering are carried on simul- 

 taneously. In Brazil they are kept with clipped wings, chained 

 upon a stand, fitted up with a horizontal perch, and a sliding 

 box for rest at night. We, on the contrary, keep them as a 

 rule by couples in a cage ; but they must be kept either by 

 themselves, or with large peaceable parrots, for they are ex- 

 tremely vicious towards smaller companions. For diet they 

 chiefly need seeds, hemp, and oats, with a slight addition of 

 sweet fruit and biscuit, or moistened egg-bread ; but the 

 majority of them entirely refuse to take the two last named. 

 They are very healthy and hardy, and can be kept without 

 trouble for many years, only that cold and damp must be care- 

 fully guarded against. It is true that one species, the largest, 

 has already been kept through the winter in the open air, but I 

 must warn the reader against this course in the case of any of 

 the smaller varieties. Up to the present time eight species have 

 been imported alive, but only one may be reckoned common in 

 the market. Although, as before remarked, they are mostly 

 kept in couples, yet only one single Small-billed Parrakeet has 

 been bred in captivity. The rarer species fetch a rather high 

 price. I shall, of course, only speak here of those which have 

 already been proved to be speakers. 



