64 HOURS WITH NATURE. 



the cage said : "J um P on the stick Polly, on the stick !" 

 Polly got angry, and suddenly burst forth laughing say- 

 ing : "Major, jump on the stick, Major !" A son of 

 the family to which the parrot belonged, was expected 

 home after a prolonged absence abroad. The event 

 was naturally talked about among the household. 

 George, for such was the name of the son, arrived late 

 one evening, when Polly was already sleeping in its cage. 

 After the excitements of the first greetings were over, 

 George sought the general favourite and lifted a corner 

 of the cover of the cage : " Ah, George, art thou there ? 

 that is nice, very nice," were the words of welcome and 

 recognition uttered by Polly. 



******* 



The Grey Parrot is a favourite cage bird, but is no 

 where so common as in London. Large numbers are 

 continually imported to Europe from their native wilds. 



The home of the Grey Parrot is the western coast of 

 Africa, extending for ,ome distance into the interior. 

 It is common in the Gold Coast and adjacent islands. 

 There is some peculiarity in the distribution of these 

 birds in these parts ; for instance, it is very abundant in 

 Princes' Island, but not one is to be found in the neigh- 

 bouring island of St. Thomas. The explanation of this 

 lies in the fact that, the large number of kites which in- 

 habit St. Thomas's Island prevents the Grey Parrots' 

 coming and settling there. 



A distinguished observer gives the following account 



