PARROTS. 435 
weather was fine, the parrot talked ceaselessly. It said everything it 
knew, apostrophised all passers-by (except women), and talked politics. 
In pronouncing the word Gibraltar it burst out laughing. One would 
think it was a man who laughed.” 
An English gentleman bought a grey parrot in Bristol, the 
intelligence of which was quite extraordinary. It asked for every- 
thing it wanted, and gave orders ; it sang several songs, and whistled 
some airs very well, beating the measure. When it made a false 
note it recommenced, and nevercommitted the mistake again. We 
have often, when passing through the Rue Four-des-Flammes, at 
Montpellier, heard a parrot which sung and articulated most dis- 
tinctly the two verses of this song :— 
**Quand je bois du vin clairet, 
Tout tourne, tout tourne au cabaret.” 
Parrots imitate not only the word, but even the gestures of those 
with whom they come in contact. Scaliger knew one which repeated 
the songs of some young Savoyards, and imitated their dances. 
These birds are more or less susceptible of education. Some, 
naturally peaceable, are easily tamed; others, more refractory, 
submit to captivity unwillingly. In general, when they are taken 
young, they attach themselves strongly to those who have care of 
them. 
Parrots have a mania for using their beaks upon everything that 
comes in their way. When encaged against their will they utter loud 
cries, and sometimes turn their fury upon the bars of their prison. 
They have been known to pluck and even tear themselves in these 
paroxysms. Supplying them with a plaything is the only means of 
keeping them quiet under such circumstances. 
These Climbers are endowed with remarkable longevity. ‘The 
“ Memoranda of the Academy of Sciences of Paris” mention a 
parrot that lived in the family of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 
Florence more than 110 years. Vieillot speaks of having seen one 
neat Bordeaux which was eighty-four years of age. The average 
length of their life cannot, however, be exactly ascertained. 
' Parrots rarely breed in Europe ; it is true they often lay, but the 
eggs are sterile. A few instances have been known in France where, 
under favourable circumstances, they have perpetuated their species. 
Generally all that we see in our temperate regions are brought from 
countries where the majority have been taken from the nest. 
The family of Parrots comprises four principal groups :— The 
Macaws, Parrakeets, Parrots properly speaking, and Cockatoos. 
