2780 The Zoologist— Octobeh, 1871. 



resisted by one pair, other parrots come up to their assistance, and joining 

 forces either kill or put the aggressor to flight. 



" The grey parrot delights to dwell in companies : many nests are found 

 within a few feet of each other, and often in one tree two or more holes may 

 be seen occupied by hatching pairs. 



" The young birds are covered with a long and fluffy down, which after- 

 wards, when moulting, falls ofi". Their first plumage is darker, and the iris 

 dark grey, instead of pale yellow. They leave the nest when about four 

 weeks old, but may be seen looking outside the hole some time before they 

 are able to fly. They grow quickly, and the feathers get gradually paler ; 

 when two months old the first moulting begins, which lasts about five 

 weeks, after which the plumage is similar to that of the old birds, although 

 the edges of the feathers are not so pale, and the cheeks and forehead not 

 so white, as in old indi\'iduals. The iris changes gradually and slowly ; the 

 eyes are dark for more than seven months. The feathers when wet appear 

 of a dark blueish grey, with a purple gloss. 



" The value of a grey parrot on Prince's Island is one dollar (4s. 2cZ.) for 

 an old bird, and half that sum for a young one. There are not many sold 

 on the island, owing to the heavy freight charged — about five shillings for 

 each individual as soon as it is shipped. 



" As to the method of treatment, I have always found hemp-seed to be a 

 very good kind of food, and one that is relished by the bird ; boiled rice is 

 also very suitable, and a lump of sugar is a source of great amusement. 

 They will eat canaiy and other small-grained seeds, but these I think are 

 objectionable, as they keep the bird too much occupied with eating, so that 

 they lose a good deal of their capacity for imitating words. The best food 

 is Indian corn boiled or ground and mixed with hemp-seed, and bread 

 softened in sugar-water. Almonds are not easily digested, and bitter 

 almonds make them iU. Parsley is poison for a parrot. Fresh fruit, such as 

 figs, pears, cherries, &c., always give great satisfaction to the bird, but they 

 must not have too much of it. 



" If, while being taught to imitate words or sounds, the bird exhibits an 

 indifference or unwiUingness to leani its lesson, it wiU be found of service 

 to cover the'cage with a dark-coloured cloth. If a piano or other instrument 

 of music is used in the same room, or much noise made in the house, the 

 bird will never do more than learn parts of words or sounds, and will 

 generally be confused when induced to talk. Words of the English 

 language are far more difficult for a parrot to pronounce than German, 

 Dutch, Spanish or Portuguese. The German language seems to possess 

 the greatest influence on the parrot's power of speech. There are numerous 

 anecdotes given of the talking powers of the grey parrot, many of which go 

 to prove the capacity of this species, but some are much exaggerated. 

 A grey parrot is certainly the most iuteUigeut of all cage-birds, and when 



