72 THE ASH-COLOURED PARROT. 



BREEDING. In its native country this species builds in high trees. This 

 is the first of this group of birds which has bred in Europe. " M. de la 

 Pigeonnire," says Buffon, "had a male and female parrot in the city of 

 Marmanote, in Angenois, which used to breed regularly every spring for five 

 or six years ; the young ones of each brood were always reared by the parent 

 birds. The female laid four eggs each time, three of which were fruitful, 

 and the other not so. In order that they may breed at their ease, they 

 must be placed in a room in which there is nothing but a barrel, open at 

 one end, and partly filled with saw-dust ; sticks must be placed inside and 

 out of the barrel, that the male may ascend them whenever he likes, and 

 remain near his companion. Before entering this room the precaution 

 must be taken to put on boots, that the legs may be guarded from the 

 attacks of the jealous parrot, which pecks at everything which approaches 

 its female." The P. Labat also gives an account of two parrots which had 

 " several broods in Paris." 



DISEASES. This parrot becomes more subject to the different diseases in 

 proportion as it is fed on choice food. Gout in the feet is the most general, 

 and the specifics used for the bird are not more certain in their cure than 

 those used for man. It is not difficult to prevent this evil by great cleanli- 

 ness, and giving it no meat or other niceties. 



ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. This parrot, like the following, learns not only 

 to speak and whistle, but also to make all kinds of gestures ; and it even 

 performs some tricks which require skill. It is particularly distinguished 

 by its pleasing and caressing behaviour to its master. As an example of 

 the talents of this species, Buffon gives an account of one which, " being 

 instructed on its voyage by an old sailor, had acquired his harsh, hoarse 

 voice so perfectly that it was often mistaken for him. Though it was 

 afterwards given to a young person, and no longer heard the voice, it never 

 forgot the lessons of its old master ; and it was exceedingly amusing to 

 hear it pass from a soft pleasing voice to its old hoarse sea tone. This bird 

 not only has a great facility in imitating the voice of man, but it also seems 

 to have a wish to do so, and this wish is shown in its great attention, the 

 efforts which it makes to repeat the sounds it hears, and its constant repe- 

 tition of them, for it incessantly repeats any words which it has just learnt, 

 and endeavours to make its voice heard above every other. One is often 

 surprised to hear it say words and make sounds, which no one had taught 

 it, and to which it was not even suspected to have listened. It seemed to 

 practise its lesson every day till night, beginning again on the next morn- 

 ing. It is while young that it shows this great facility in learning ; its 

 memory is then better, and the bird is altogether more intelligent and 

 docile. This memory is sometimes very astonishing, as in a parrot which, 

 as Rodiginus tells, a cardinal bought for one hundred crowns of gold, because 

 it could repeat correctly the Apostles' Creed ; and M. de la Borde tells us of 

 another which served as chaplain to the vessel, reciting the prayer to the 

 sailors, and afterwards repeating the rosary." 



