THE COMMON-SENSE VIEW 171 



came on the wrong day ; and on one occasion, 

 when the market was omitted on account of a 

 holiday, here came the unfaiHng fowls cackling 

 and shouting as usual in merr} anticipation of 

 their fortnightly feast, but ignorant of the national 

 necessities which had doomed them to be disap- 

 pointed (10). 



Parrots remember and call for their absent 

 friends, and mumble phrases in their dreams 

 which have been taught to them. These gifted 

 birds learn long poems by heart, and sing songs 

 with considerable art. A parrot belonging to the 

 canon of the Cathedral of Salzburg was given 

 instruction regularly two hours every day for ten 

 years, from 1830 to 1840. The bird became very 

 proficient in speech and exceedingly intelligent. 

 It took part in conversations, whistled tunes, 

 and was able to sing a number of popular songs, 

 among them an entire aria from Flotow's opera 

 of 'Martha' (11). 



Educated birds though, like educated dogs, 

 horses, cats, mice, men, and everything else, are 

 very different beings from the uneducated. Culti- 

 vation is a key that unlocks all sorts of miracles. 

 Cats are cultivated tigers ; and the richest grains 

 that ripen in the fields of men, and the loveliest 

 flowers that blow, are only educated weeds. Even 

 the flea may be taught to exchange leaping for 

 walking, to draw a tiny wagon, to ride on the 

 seat, to fire a toy cannon, and do many other 

 feats. 



There is one family of birds in which the 



