WHICH SHALL WE CHOOSE? 13 



the most intelligent in the matter of talking, 

 though most of the family may be taught that 

 accomplishment. Cockatoos do not learn so 

 readily to speak, but they can squawk and 

 scream with the loudest. Their almost incura- 

 ble passion for making unpleasant noises, es- 

 pecially loud shrieks, is a serious objection to 

 these birds, and one should consider the state 

 of her own nerves before consenting to harbor 

 one. All the tribe paroquets, cockatoos, 

 macaws, and even the sentimental love-birds 

 are noisy and often unbearable in a room. 

 On the other hand, they are affectionate, in- 

 genious in mischief, and exceedingly enter- 

 taining pets, besides being easily kept happy 

 and in health, and very long lived. I never 

 knew of a person making a companion of one 

 of the family without becoming warmly at- 

 tached to it. 



The mocking-bird, so often kept in captiv- 

 ity for his song, is really a most interesting 

 inmate of our homes for other qualities his 

 spirited manners, his intelligence, and his fer- 

 tile wit. No bird of my acquaintance will 

 think of so many droll things to do, and be 

 so certain to do them, as this one. He is not 



