The Marquess of Tavistock—The Rejuvenation of Jaco 173


of a large pig, but resembles a guinea-pig in form, with a huge square

muzzle. They are semi-aquatic and chiefly nocturnal. All these

animals are loose in the park, running with three Wallaby Kangaroos,

so that as one wanders about on a hot day in August one wonders

whether one is in South America or Australia, rather than Normandy.

We wish Monsieur Delacour all good luck in the future.



THE REJUVENATION OF JACO


By The Marquess of Tavistock


Why she was called Jaco I do not know, for she was not a Grey

Parrot but a St. Lucia Amazon (Chrysotis versicolor). Many members

of the numerous family of Amazon Parrots are well-known in aviculture,

but the three great island species, C. versicolor, C. guildingi, and C.

bouqueti, have always been rare. They are magnificent in plumage,

but have not a good reputation as pets. It is said, however, that the

very few which have been captured alive have been secured when

adult by shooting. This would not tend to produce confidence and

docility, and I believe myself that young males taken from the nest

would talk as freely and show as much affection for their owners as

the familiar Blue-fronted Amazon.


I first made Jaco’s acquaintance several years ago when she was

in the possession of my late friend Lord Sherborne, better known to

Parrot-lovers as Canon Dutton. She was then a splendid bird, her

fine condition being due, no doubt, to the fact that in summer she was

let out daily in the garden to enjoy complete liberty. She loved her

master and was good friends with the gardener, who fed and looked

after her, but she plainly showed that she had no use for me. Failing

health, unhappily, obliged my friend to give up his parish and exchange

the beautiful Vicarage at Bibury for a smaller house in Cheltenham.

The change was a sad one for Jaco, also. There were no more summer

outings for her, and in time she began to show the effect. Her beak

grew long and required periodical cutting, a sure sign that she was

growing old.


Last winter my friend was taken to the fuller life of service for which

he was so well fitted, and Jaco came to me. He had always told me



