NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Deaili of a scientific parrot. 



in a manner approaching to rationality. Her 

 age was not known ; it was, however, more than 

 thirty years, for previously to that period Mr. 

 O'Kelly bought her at Bristol for a hundred 

 guineas. The colonel was repeatedly offered a 

 hundred guineas a-year for the bird, by persons 

 who wished to make a public exhibition of her; 

 but this, out of tenderness to the favourite, he 

 constantly refused. The bird was dissected by 

 Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Brooke; and the muscles 

 of the larynx, which regulate the voice, were 

 found from the effect of practice to be uncom- 

 monly strong." 



The sister of M. de Buffon had a parrot, 

 which would frequently speak to himself, and 

 seem to fancy that some one addressed him. He 

 often asked for his paw, and answered by hold- 

 ing it up. Though he liked to hear the voice of 

 children, he seemed to have an antipathy to 

 them; he pursued them, and bit them till he 

 drew blood. He had also his objects of attach- 

 ment ; and though his choice was not very nice, 

 it was constant. He was excessively fond of the 

 cook-maid ; followed her every where, sought 

 for, and seldom missed finding her. If she had 

 been some time out of his sight, the bird climbed 

 tvith his bill and claws to her shoulders, and 

 lavished on her his caresses. His fondness had 

 all the marks of close and warm friendship. The 

 girl happened to have a very sore finger, which 

 was tedious in healing, and so painful as to make 

 her scream. While she uttered her moans, the 



