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 never committed 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 no years. Vieillot speaks of having seen one 

 near 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 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* 



