BIKDS AND MEN 147 



but the appearance was more suggestive of a kitten 

 playing. 



The bird is most discriminating, and, while tame to 

 everybody, will only allow himself to be handled by the 

 various members of the family of which he regards him- 

 self a member, with privileges to go out and come in as 

 he likes. 



WM. WILLIAMSON. 



August 26, 1911. 



A TAME PABROT 



Mr. Williamson will probably find the tame owl will 

 remain at Torphichen till next spring, when it will have 

 other business to attend to. Some years ago a friend of 

 mine in India reared a brood of young parrots. When they 

 had about reached maturity he let them go, when all dis- 

 appeared except one, which remained faithful. This, 

 whilst enjoying perfect liberty, became very tame. How- 

 ever, when the weather began to warm up about March 

 it found other loves more attractive than its master, and 

 was reported absent. My friend, of course, gave up his 

 bird for lost, but one evening, when the monsoon was 

 over, as he walked towards the tennis courts a flock of 

 parrots flew over him, when one bird left its fellows, 

 circled round, and settled on his shoulder. The nesting 

 business was all over, and it returned to its old love, and 

 the bungalow. The following spring the parrot left again 

 and returned in the autumn, when one day, much to its 

 owner's grief, it was crushed by the slamming of a door. 

 He sat up all night nursing it, but it died in his hands. 



A. G. CANE. 



September 9, 1911. 



NOTE. This story reminds me of one told by Mr. W. H. 

 Hudson of a widgeon (Mareca sibilatrix) wounded on the 

 Argentine pampas. The bird was taken home by the 

 gunner, and, recovering, showed him a passionate devo- 



