162 DO BIRDS UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY SAY? [PARTII. 



they unquestionably do; or whether they ever 

 really understand the meaning of what they say, 

 it would be hard to prove, no matter to what 

 extent instances might be multiplied. 



Although I confess I do not give birds credit 

 for so much sense as the author of "Jays and 

 Nutcrackers," yet I will contribute an anecdote, 

 for the accuracy of which I can vouch, and which, 

 so far as it goes, certainly tends to prove his 

 theory. 



A Parrot belonging to some friends of mine 

 was generally taken out of the room when the 

 family assembled for prayers, for fear lest he 

 might take it into his head to join irreverently in 

 the responses. One evening however his pre- 

 sence happened to be unnoticed, and he was for- 

 gotten. For some time he maintained a de- 

 corous silence, but at length, instead of "Amen," 

 out he came with "Cheer boys, cheer." On this 

 the butler was directed to remove him, and had 

 got as far as the door with him, when the bird, 

 perhaps thinking that he had committed himself, 

 and had better apologize, called out, "Sorry I 

 spoke." The overpowering effect on the congre- 

 gation may be more easily imagined than de- 

 scribed. 



