The Marquess of Tavistock — The liejuvenation of Jaco 175


to have to take her into hospital with a chill, but she was looking better

than the day before ; and marvellous to relate she has never ceased to

improve, and all the frosts and deluges of this inclement summer have

failed to harm her !


r' But not only does Jaco possess a remarkable constitution, she is

endued, apparently, in spite of her age and infirmity, with great

feminine charm. She had not been out long before she had captivated

the heart of an old king Parrakeet whose story has been told elsewhere.

A few days later she made an equally deep impression on a crippled

African Ring-neck — a miserable little bird who could neither walk nor

fly properly and was bullied by all the other Parrakeets. For a time

the king allowed him but little opportunity of pressing his suit, but

the power of great passion to overcome obstacles is not only apparent

in human circles. In spite of his lame leg and damaged wing, in spite

of the fact that he was moulting, the ring-neck defeated the king in

pitched battle, and not only him but all the other Palceornis Parrakeets

as well, including a robust and spiteful female of his own species.

After that he had Jaco to himself as long as she remained on the top

of the aviary, but whenever she flew off the king rejoined her and the

ring-neck was left calling disconsolately. His delight on her return

was quite touching and he would sidle up to her and start his comical

squirming display, and whenever she drank he always made a point of

sipping the drops that ran off the end of her bill ! Jaco treated her

two admirers with the reserve suitable to her age and sex. She repelled

their advances when they became too familiar and made some of her

own, but she occasionally conversed with them and they alone were

allowed to feed in the tray beside her, other Parrakeets being driven

away. Of the two she preferred the ring-neck, thereby showing her

good taste, for he was undoubtedly the better gentleman of the two,

the king being inclined to be selfish and greedy.


Til her old home, 1 was told, Jaco used her wings remarkably little,

spending all her time in the same tree. Now, however, either because

she has company, or because she considers it good for her health, she

flies quite a lot, particularly in the early morning and late evening.

Soon after sunrise each day her raucous voice heralds her approach,

and she passes my window slightly preceded by the king, whose graceful



