Z9 o PARROT. 



lie gives a detail, from a friend who had one alive, and to whom 

 it was exceedingly attached, but very capricious in its temper; for 

 it expected a return for whatever civility it fhowed its mailer. 

 Sometimes in its wantonnefs it would bite a little too hard, and 

 when fo done laughed heartily, as if to applaud himfelf for the 

 aft ; and if chaftifed for the offence, it rebelled the more, and 

 never was to be reclaimed but from the gentleft ufage. It took 

 great delight in tearing and pulling every thing to pieces ; did 

 not at all relifh confinement in its cage; for in this ftate it was filent 

 and dull ; but when at large, on its perch, it was for ever chat- 

 tering, and had a great deal to fay, as it remembered every thing 

 almofl that was faid to it. It was alfo, contrary to the nature of 

 many Parrots, very fond of children. In the time of moulting it 

 appeared dejected and uneafy, and this for near three months to- 

 gether *. It was fed for the moft part on hemp-feed, nuts, fruits 

 of all kinds, and bread foaked in wine ; but preferred meat if it 

 could get it. It was obferved, that if fed with this laft, it 

 became dull and heavy, and in a little time the feathers fell off". 

 It was alfo remarked, that it kept its food in its pouch or cheeka 

 for fome time, from whence it was protruded by degrees, by a 

 kind of rumination j*. ' ■ 



In the. mufeum at Leicefter-houfe is a bird, which I fancy to be 

 a young one, though of a large fize : it anfwers to the above de- 



* This eircumftance I nave remarked before. The birds in hot climates do 

 aot moult all at once, like thofe of the colder regions : the feathers fall off by de- 

 grees as the leaves of evergreen trees. 



t For the aboye remarks we are indebted toR. P. Bougot, Gardien des Capti- 

 ons of Semur, who made the education of Parrots for a long time his ftudy. 

 Hijl. des eif. vi. p. 223. — Parrots faid to chew the cud. See Pitfeld's Memoirs, 



J). ZQ.U. 



fcriptionj. 



