90 ATTACKING A PARROT. 



took it in his bill and flew to the floor, where 

 he soon satisfied himself that it was not a new 

 variety of beetle. This was always his method 

 with any new object of small size. 



Not only did this doughty warrior vanquish 

 the ordinary birds about him, but when a gray 

 African parrot made his appearance in the room 

 (on a short visit) he boldly attacked him, in 

 spite of his size and strength. The parrot had a 

 temporary perch before the window, and on the 

 cage nearest to him the mocking-bird took his 

 place, and after posturing and threatening, 

 stooped to a crouching position, and then darted 

 past him, trying to hit him as he went. The 

 first time this occurred the parrot whirled on 

 his perch and cried " Whoo ! " and after that 

 greeted every charge with a very good imitation 

 of a policeman's rattle, probably as the loudest 

 and most terrifying noise he could make. So 

 determined was the belligerent fellow to subdue 

 or annihilate the larger bird, and so reckless 

 were his attacks, that I had to keep him a pris- 

 oner during the few days the parrot was in the 

 room, for hospitality must not be violated. It 

 is interesting to note that so great was his va- 

 riety of resource that he had a distinctly differ- 

 ent method of warfare in each of the six cases 

 mentioned. 



A dignified composure was so natural to my 



