THE PARROTS. 



WHO tamed the first Parrot? And which member 

 was it, of this family of five hundred species, that 

 was first made a household pet ? 



Neither of these questions can ever be answered. For 

 it all happened thousands of years ago, and in all 

 likelihood the first captive Parrot was caged or tethered 

 inside some poor native's hut, of whom the world knows 

 nothing. But as far back as the fifth century before Christ 

 there is a reference in the writings of a Greek historian to 

 certain Indian birds which are unmistakably Parrots, or 

 rather Parrakeets. 



Creatures of such gorgeous colouring would soon find 

 purchasers, if taken alive. And when one of the kinds 

 which can be trained to talk became a prisoner it is not 

 hard to see that such training would soon be attempted. 

 If it were a rich man's house, some servant or slave boy 

 would spend his leisure moments in getting the wise- 

 looking bird to repeat after him some easily pronounced 

 word or words. 



But we know this, that since the day when that first 

 captive imitated human speech the popularity of his clan 

 has never failed. Other household pets might " have their 

 day," be all the fashion, and then be neglected by all but 

 the few ; but generation after generation has seen the 

 Parrot swinging and talking and whistling in his round 

 cage, in country cottage and city lodging and spacious 

 mansion. 



