74 THE GRAY PARROT. 



in length, about the size of a common pigeon. Some- 

 times a bird has red feathers in spots on the back - } 

 this is known as a " king " African, and is highly 

 esteemed, and commands a higher price, being con- 

 sidered more intelligent; but I am not certain that 

 the " king " learns any more than his subjects can. 

 West and Central Africa is its home ; and from there 

 these birds are brought to America, either, via Eng- 

 land in steamers, or direct in sailing-vessels, a few of 

 which arrive at New York, but most of them arrive 

 in Boston. The birds brought in sailing-vessels are 

 preferred, because they get acclimated in the longer 

 trip, and have also better care when brought by the 

 captains themselves, some of whom have been fur- 

 nishing me with birds for over ten years, in both cities. 

 These birds make excellent talkers and whistlers, 

 and occasionally learn to sing both words and music 

 of popular ballads ; but, like children, they vary some 

 in " mental activity," though during my study of the 

 subject of parrot training for the past fifteen years, I 

 can truly say that the teachers' abilities vary much 

 more than the pupils', to the latters' great disadvantage. 

 Parrots learn more readily in the three hours next fol- 

 lowing sunrise, or the three hours before sunset, and 

 should be taught verbally just as one would teach a 

 child, line upon line, precept upon precept. I have 

 known many children give from six months to a year 

 to long division, and not understand it very well then ; 

 and it may take the brightest parrot that time, or even 

 longer, to commit, " The Lord is my Shepherd," etc., 

 " Mary had a little, lamb," or a list of oaths varied 



