184 Parrots ^ Parakeets 



dripping from the tip of his beak to the end of his 

 tail, through the nearest window of the Dahabeah ; 

 Mousri as a reward receiving a nip from the bird, and 

 a piece of silver from me. 



On another occasion the macaw was all but 

 drowned, but was again rescued by the undefeated 

 Mousri. 



That time " Se Ra " was almost insensible, and 

 had to be held upside down for a pint of Nile water to 

 escape from his interior ! 



That macaw has seen a good many sides of life. 

 He and Mousri were great characters in their own 

 peculiar ways. 



The latter ever ready to proffer his aid to the 

 helpless, as a sister-in-law of mine, who was with us, 

 discovered when, on hesitating as to how she could 

 clamber down the bank to the Dahabeah, after a 

 ramble under the light of a brilliant moon, she found 

 herself suddenly clasped tightly in Mousri's arms, and 

 caught the gleam of his straying eye within an inch of 

 her face. 



Another moment and she was on the shore, 

 Mousri looking triumphant and courtier-like, happy 

 in feeling sure he had done absolutely the right thing 

 at the right moment. The bewildered lady, in her 

 best Arabic, murmured her thanks, but in her con- 

 fusion said " Quaiss ketir," which, being interpreted, 

 means " Very nice " ; at which Mousri was absolutely 

 overjoyed! 



To keep the parrot family in good health either 

 indoors or out, cleanliness is essential, pure fresh water, 



