THE PARROT. 93 



story, possess natural affection, and repay kindness 

 with kindness. As reasonable beings, and above all, 

 as Christians, we are bound to do more. We must 

 extend the hand of chanty and benevolence to stran- 

 gers, when in affliction, and like the Good Samaritan, 

 pour oil and wine into the wounds of the distressed, 

 wherever we meet them. 



THE ASH COLOURED PARROT. 



How large is the ash 6oloured Parrot ? 



The ash coloured Parrot measures nearly a foot and 

 a half long ; but the tail is considerably longer than 

 the body. 



What is the colour of this bird ? 



Its plumage is chiefly of the colour of wood ashes ; 

 the bill is black ; the head and neck are grey ; the tail 

 is bright red ; the legs are ash coloured, and claws 

 blackish. 



Where is this bird found ? 



This bird is a native of Guinea, and other parts of 

 Africa. 



This is the kind of Parrot that is most highly valued, 

 on account of the facility with which it imitates the 

 human voice. It listens with great attention to its 

 instructor, and will try to repeat its lesson wben alone- 

 Its memory, if cultivated 'when young, is sometimes 

 very surprising. An author of credit tells us of a 

 Parrot, which could repeat the whote of the Apostles' 

 creed, without making any mistakes. 



Some of these birds of uncommon talents in the art 

 of talking and singing, have been sold for considerable 

 sums of money. Colonel O'Kelly, an English gentle- 

 9* 



