268 PARROTS. 



different members of the family, who are 

 daily deceived by its consummate talent 

 of mimicry. This bird also has a very 

 pleasant but noisy song, yet is unacquaint- 

 ed with anything like musical abilities. 



The food of this variety of birds is of a 

 mixed description. They may be given 

 almost anything, except seasoned animal 

 food, of which the family partake. How- 

 ever, bread and milk, potatoes boiled, 

 cakes, raw or cooked meat without sea- 

 soning, scalded Indian-meal, and fruit of 

 every kind may be allowed them, with 

 plenty of water, which they drink immo- 

 derately. Hemp-seed may also be given 

 to them occasionally. 



Their diseases are of the same nature 

 as the Canary and other birds, and the 

 same modes of cure, but stronger in pro- 

 portion, will suffice to restore them to 

 health. 



