THE YELLOW- WINGED PARROT. 89 



We know nothing respecting the habits of this bird in a state of 

 nature, but Father Bougot, who had one of them for some time in hia 

 possession, communicated to M. de Buffon, the following account of 

 its manners and disposition in a tame state : 



;t It is (he says) extremely susceptible of attachment to its master ; 

 it is fond of him, but requires frequent caresses, and seems disconso 

 laie if neglected, and vindictive if provoked. It has fits of obstinacy ; 

 it bites during its ill-humor, and immediately laughs, exulting in its 

 mischief. Correction and rigorous treatment only harden it ; gentle 

 asage alone succeeds in mollifying its temper. 



" The inclination to gnaw whatever it can reach, is very destructive ; 

 it cuts the cloth of the furniture, splits the wood of the chairs, and tears 

 in pieces paper, pens, &c. And if it be removed from the spot where 

 it stands, its proneness to contradiction will instantly hurry it back. 

 But this mischievous disposition is counterbalanced by agreeable 

 qualities, for it remembers readily whatever it is taught to say. Before 

 articulating it claps its wings and plays on its roost ; in a cage it be- 

 comes dejected, and continues silent ; and it never prattles well except 

 when it enjoys its liberty. 



" In its cheerful days it is affectionate, receives and returns caresses, 

 and listens and obeys ; though a peevish fit often interrupts the harmony. 

 It seems affected by the change of weather, and becomes silent ; the 

 way to reanimate itis to sing beside it, and it then strives, by its noisy 

 screams, to surpass the voice which excites it. It is fond of children ; 

 in which respect it differs from most other Parrots. It contracts a 

 predilection for some of them, and suffers them to handle and carry it ; 

 it caresses them, and will bite ferociously any person who then attempts 

 to touch them. If its favorite children leave it, it is unhappy, follows, 

 and calls loudly after them. During the time of moulting it is much 

 reduced, and seems to endure great pain ; and this state lasts for nearly 

 three months." 



The power of imitating exactly articulate discourse, implies in the 

 Parrot a very peculiar and perfect structure of organ ; and the accuracy 

 of its memory (though independent of understanding) manifests a 

 closeness of attention, and a strength of mechanical recollection, that 

 no other bird possesses in so high a degree. Accordingly, all natural- 

 ists have remarked the singular form of its bill, of its tongue, and its 

 head. Its bill, round on the outside and hollow within, has, in some 

 degree, the capacity of a mouth, and allows the tongue to plav freely; 

 and the sound, striking against the circular border of tie lower 

 mandible, is there modified as on a row of teeth, while the concavity 

 of the upper mandible reflects it like a palate ; hence the animal does 

 not utter a whistling sound, but a full articulation. The tongue which 

 modulates all sounds, is proportionably larger than in man ; and would 

 be more voluble, were it not harder than flesh ; and invested with a 

 strong horny membrane. 



From the peculiar structure of the upper mandible of its bill, the 

 Parrot has a power, which no other birds have, of chewing its food. 

 The Parrot seizes its food sideways, and gnaws it deliberately. The 

 lower mandible has little motion, but that from right to left is 



