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 THE HOARY PARROT. 



Psittacus erythacus. 



' " Lord, how he nicks us " Tom More cries ; 



" Lord how he nicks us " Poll replies. 

 Tom throws, and eyes the glittering store, 

 And as he throws, exclaims " Tom More." 



" Torh More," the mimic bird replies. 

 The astonished gamesters lift their eyes. 

 And wondering stare and look around, 

 As doubtful whence proceeds the sound.' 



This splendid and numerous genus, to which this bird belongs, 

 is chiefly confined to the warmer regions of both continents, or 

 within the limits of the tropics ; none being natives of Europe. 

 Some few are found in latitudes far beyond what was supposed 

 ,by BufTon, and even as far as 40' or 45° on each side of the equa- 

 tor. They are remarkable for their active and imitative disposi- 

 tion. From the peculiar form of their tongue, which in most spe- 

 cies, is thick, flattish, rounded, and fleshy, they are enabled to 

 articulate with greater distinctness than other birds. The upper 

 mandible is movable ; and the feet formed for climbing, with a 

 power of bringing forward, at pleasure, one of the hind toes. 

 They deposite their eggs, which are generally two, in the holes 

 of decayed trees. Though usually observed in pairs, they some- 

 times assemble in vast flocks. The whole genus, according to 

 Gmelin, comprehends about 170 species. 



The hoary parrot is generally preferred on account of the mild- 

 ness of its disposition and of'its remarkable sagacity and docility, 

 in which it at least equals the green parrot, without the disagree- 

 able cries. Its temples are naked and white ; and its tail cochin- 

 eal or scarlet ; the head is cinerous and its cheeks are naked ; 

 the primary quill feathers are of a brown-ash color. There are 

 three varieties, the red.) the red-winged^ and the red-variegated^ 

 all natives of Africa, and about twenty inches long. It is some- 

 limes called Jaco, from one of its most frequent sounds which it 

 utters. It is said to have been first brought into Europe by Al- 

 exander the Great. 



Most of these parrots are imported from the coast of Guinea, 

 and come from the interior parts of Africa. They are also found 

 at Congo, and on the south of Angola. They are very easily 

 taught to speak, and seem fondest of imitating the voice of chil- 

 den, who are also the most successful in training them. It has, 

 indeed, been remarked by old writers that the birds most suscep- 



