PARROTS 161 



what darkened. Under such conditions, it will not be long 

 in learning oft-repeated sounds. Short, simple words should 

 be taken first, and the same one reiterated, until it has been 

 thoroughly mastered by the bird, before another is taken 

 up. The art of learning is acquired as the parrot grows 

 older, so that accomplished birds are able to repeat fairly 

 long sentences with very little instruction. In training a 

 parrot one must not forget that one will have to endure the 

 constant repetition of whatever the bird is taught. Reflec- 

 tion on this point may have some effect on the selection of 

 phrases, and the usual banal remarks of parrots may be 

 avoided. 



While it is not at all uncommon for a cherished family 

 pet suddenly to astound its owners by producing an egg, it is 

 most unusual for these birds to breed in captivity. In fact, 

 while the Gray Parrot has been bred, there seems to be no 

 record of this event in the case of any Amazon. Parrots 

 nest normally in hollow logs, and there is no reason to doubt 

 that, in a large aviary suitably fitted up, the feat might be 

 accomplished. 



The Gray Parrot {Psittacus erythacus), of western and 

 central Africa, is the parrot par excellence. It is attractively 

 colored — soft gray with red tail — and quickly becomes an 

 accomplished talker. It is also a clever mimic, and excels 

 other parrots as a whistler. 



Individuals with red feathers scattered through the 

 plumage occasionally are seen. Such birds are known as 

 " kings " and are credited with a superior degree of in- 

 telligence which is, of course, purely mythical. It appears 

 to be less hardy than Amazons when it comes to enduring 

 dietary abuse, and wrong feeding will quickly upset it. 

 Although it is imported in considerable numbers, the mor- 

 tality is generally very high among freshly arrived birds, 

 many being infected with psittacosis. Severe losses are be- 



