CH. II.] ANECDOTES OF PARROTS. 163 



The Parrot of a relation of mine also used, 

 whenever he dropped anything he was eating, to 

 say, "Pick up Bobby's crust," being doubtless 

 prompted by the same train of associations, as 

 those which lead another Parrot, which I know 

 well, invariably to say, "Thank you," whenever 

 anything is given to him. 



The following story is not a bad one, but all 

 that I can say with regard to its authenticity is, 

 si non vero, e ben trovato If it be not true, 

 it deserves to be so for the sake both of master 

 and pupil. Some parrot-fanciers had agreed to 

 meet in a year's time, when each was to shew a 

 bird for a prize, proficiency in talking being by 

 common consent to be the great criterion of merit. 

 On the day appointed all the rest came, each duly 

 bringing his Parrot : one only appeared without 

 his. On being asked why he had not shewn one 

 according to the agreement, he said that he had 

 tried to train one, but that he was such a stupid 

 bird he was quite ashamed to bring him. This 

 excuse was held to be inadmissible. All the others 

 insisted that, stupid or clever, he must be pro- 

 duced, and his master accordingly went off for and 

 returned with him. No sooner was he introduced, 

 than, looking round at the large assemblage of 



M2 



