462 SCANSOEES, OE CLIMBEES. 



" Quand je bois du vin clairet, 

 Tout tourne, tout tourne au cabaret." 



Parrots imitate not only the words, but even the gestures of 

 those with whom they come in contact. Scaliger knew one which 

 repeated the songs of some young Savoyards, and imitated their 

 dances. 



These birds are more or less susceptible of education. Some, 



Fig. 184. The Ara Macaw (Mucrocercus (Sw.) ararau/ia, from Braziliau name). , 



naturally peaceable, are easily tamed ; others, more refractory, 

 submit to captivity unwillingly. In general, when they are 

 taken young they attach themselves strongly to those who have 

 care of them. 



Parrots have a mania for using their beaks upon everything 

 that comes in their way. When encaged against their will they 

 utter loud cries, and sometimes turn their fury upon the bars of 



