Parrots $^ Parakeets 165 



way to a West End drawing-room, she more often 

 than not has to be hurriedly disposed of — at least, it 

 speaks badly for her purchasers if she isn't. 



There are many anecdotes about parrots ; but one 

 that was once told me struck me as good, though 

 rather calculated to shock, 



A dean's wife — why do disreputable parrots always 

 belong to ecclesiastics and their wives ? — complained 

 to the bishop's wife, who also owned a parrot, that 

 her bird used such shocking language ; whereupon the 

 bishop's lady generously offered to lend hers, in order 

 to assist the deanery bird to become more refined in 

 its conversation, and enlarged upon its charming and 

 correct vocabulary. The following day the dean's 

 wife, hearing that the episcopal parrot had arrived 

 on its mission to convert its heathen brother, entered 

 the dining-room where the cages had been placed side 

 by side. 



" Go to the devil ! " shrieked her parrot. " We 

 beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord," solemnly said the 

 parrot of the palace ! 



A dear old grey parrot that I have had for twenty 

 years and more — she was twenty years old when I 

 purchased her — is one of the clearest enunciators I 

 ever came across. 



There is no mistaking what she says, and her 

 sentences are appropriately strung together and intro- 

 duced. 



Always at five o'clock' tea, but never at any other 

 time of the day, she calls emphatically for " Bread and 

 butter," but she says " Br-r-read." 



