72 THE TALKING MINOR. 



brane ; and close to these, but detached, another 

 extends from each side to the back of the head and 

 down on the neck. A white stripe in each wing, with 

 the bright hues mentioned above, combined with ele- 

 gant form and graceful movements, make the bird uni- 

 versally admired. He is a native of the East Indies. 



An East- Indian acquaintance of mine used to have 

 her children say the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' 

 Creed at a regular hour each evening ; but, whenever 

 the children were absent at the usual hour, her minor, 

 with most devout tone, would commence with " Our 

 Father," and repeat the prayer and the whole of the 

 creed. 



The minor as a talking bird is unsurpassed. He 

 speaks plainly, and can acquire and retain an unlimited 

 number of words, which he readily forms into sen- 

 tences. My own bird will converse with me or a 

 stranger at any time, and can. whistle, in full, sweet 

 tones, a regular song which has been taught him. 

 He flies about the house friendly to all, including the 

 cat and dog. He is fond of fruits and berries, which 

 are good food for him ; and if a ripe cherry is shown 

 him he cries for it. He is fed daily on Holden's Pre- 

 pared Food, the same as all soft-bill birds ; boiled egg 

 and boiled -potato is good for him, and, once or twice 

 a week, lean raw beef chopped fine is beneficial. He 

 is fond of bathing, and has the tub daily. He is tough 

 and strong, and should live in good health caged very 

 many years. The bird has been known to live sev- 

 enty-five years. The suitable cage is twenty-four to 

 thirty inches long and about twenty inches high. 



