PARROTS. 



Under this general heading is included a large number of 

 the Levirostres, or large-billed birds, which are brought from 

 Africa, Brazil, and the West Indies, and distributed through- 

 out the country by bird dealers. Those most familiar are 

 the macaws and cockatoos, the toucans, parrots, parrakeets, 

 and lories. They are usually kept for the richness of their col- 

 ors, their gracefulness of form, and their ability to articulate 

 words. The macaws are favorites on account of their large 

 size, handsome form, rich colors, and graceful deportment. 



The gray, or African parrot, although not so gaudily col- 

 ored as some of his tnbe, is one of the most beautiful and val- 

 uable. They can be taught to whistle a tune distinctly and 

 correctly, and they articulate words and whole sentences in a 

 fine, full, and sonorous bass voice. They are docile and intel- 

 ligent, forming strong attachments to those who feed them. 

 They are easily taught when young. 



Many of the lories are birds of great beauty and highly in- 

 teresting manners. Some of the favorite parrots for cages are 

 known as the red and blue macaw, one of the largest parrots, 

 being two feet eight inches long, a native of Brazil ; the blue 

 and yellow macaw; the military macaw; the blue-headed 

 parrot ; the angola yellow parrot ; the long-tailed green par- 

 rakeet, and many others, too numerous to mention. 



FOOD. 



The common staple diet for parrots is bread and milk, or 

 Indian meal and milk. This food is especially good during 

 the moulting season. A parrot will eat all kinds of fruit, but 

 meat, as well as all kinds of pastry and sweetmeats, render it 

 unhealthy. It drinks but little, being always supplied with 

 succulent food. 



DISEASES. 



Thoy are subject to many maladies, especially atrophy or 

 consumption, for which the remedy is warm, appropriate 

 food, such as water-cress, and a rusty nail in the water they 

 drink. They must be carefully tended while moulting, not 

 only that they may be kept healthy, but also that they may 

 obtain a perfect plumage. 



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