196 THE ART or TEAIXIXG ANIMALS. 



always made to repeat a long string of nonsense, something 

 like the following : " Pretty little, darling, sweet, beautiful, 

 adorable Polly wants to come mJ\ This task he was rather 

 inclined to shirk, and would commence with : '' Pretty Polly 

 wants to come in," in hopes that would suffice. The door 

 remaining closed, however, he would in a minute or two com- 

 mence with : ^' Pretty little Polly wants to come in," and so on, 

 each time going away back to the commencement, and each time 

 adding one of the previously omitted words until the whole were 

 given and the door opened to admit him. 



Usually there is no sense in a parrot's expression ; he " Polly 

 wants a cracker" on all occasions, however inappropriate. He 

 mai/ be taught to use his language in a manner which is almost 

 startling to one uninitiated into the secret of the matter, so ap- 

 parently is it the action of reasoning powers. We have shown 

 above how the bird can be taught to repeat any required set of 

 words (within reasonable limits) to accomplish a desired result. 

 The bird knows nothing about any meaning to these words, he 

 only knows that by making certain sounds he receives a reward. 

 Ordinarily a parrot will persistently assert that " Polly wants 

 a cracker " when Polly doesn't want anything of the kind, but 

 does want a drink of water. The owner does not take the par- 

 rot's statement as the expression of the actual want expressed, 

 but merely that the bird wants something. The parrot conse- 

 quently uses any phrase he has learned to express any desire. 

 He is capable of associating certain phrases with certain 

 results, without knowing anything of the meaning of the phrase. 

 Thus, if he be taught the phrases : '^ Polly wants a cracker," 

 and " Polly wants a drink," he will be just as apt to express 

 either one by either phrase as he will to do so correctly ; but 

 if he receives cracker oftly when he asks for it, and a drink only 

 when he asks for fJiafy he will leam to associate the different 

 sounds with the different results. This may be extended be- 

 yond this simple illustration as much as individual ability is 

 capable of. 



A story is told of a dweller in some eastern country who 

 trained a parrot for sale. The bird's education comprised only 

 one phrase : " There can be no doubt of that !" To market the 

 parrot was taken, and exposed for sale. Attracted by his beau- 

 tiful plumage a certain rich man inquired the price. " One 

 hundred sequins," replied the owner. ^^ Is he really worth all 

 thatf ' inquired the customer ; whereupon the bird exclaims, 

 *' There can be no doubt of that." Charmed by the appropri- 

 ateness of the reply the man buys the bird and takes him home 

 in triumph, which triumph is changed to a disgust when the 



