CH. II.] ANECDOTES OF PARROTS. 163 
The Parrot of a relation of mine also used, 
whenever he dropped anything he was eating, to 
say, “Pick up Bobby’s crust,” being doubtless 
prompted by the same train of associations, as 
those which lead another Parrot, which I know 
well, invariably to say, “Thank you,’ whenever 
anything is given to him. 
The following story is not a bad one, but all 
that I can say with regard to its authenticity is, 
st non @ vero, @ ben trovato—If it be not true, 
it deserves to be so for the sake both of master 
and pupil. Some parrot-fanciers had agreed to 
meet in a year’s time, when each was to shew a 
bird for a prize, proficiency in talking being by 
common consent to be the great criterion of merit. 
On the day appointed all the rest came, each duly 
bringing his Parrot: one only appeared without 
his. On being asked why he had not shewn one 
according to the agreement, he said that he had 
tried to train one, but that he was such a stupid 
bird he was quite ashamed to bring him. This 
excuse was held to be inadmissible. All the others 
insisted that, stupid or clever, he must be pro- 
duced, and his master accordingly went off for and 
returned with him. No sooner was he introduced, 
than, looking round at the large assemblage of 
M2 
