144 INSESSORES. 



Bnow-wliite or roseate plumage of the Cockatoos. It 

 is almost impossible for us to form any adequate con- 

 ception of tlie extreme gracefulness and beauty of 

 these birds when enjoying the freedom of their na- 

 tive forests; and although their colors may be con- 

 sidered by many as too gaudy, and presenting too 

 many abrupt and striking contrasts to yield to the 

 eye that degree of pleasure which a softer blending 

 is apt to convey, yet we think that few can gaze upon 

 the multiplicity of their forms, and the richness and 

 diversity of their gorgeous tints, without regarding 

 them as one of the most wonderful and beautiful 

 families of the whole feathered race. 



One of the most singular faculties of the Parrots, 

 — which, however, does not belong to the whole 

 tribe, — is that of imitating the human voice, and 

 learning by rote, words and sentences, which they 

 will sometimes repeat upon very appropriate occa- 

 sions, giving the impression that they are really 

 aware of their meaning. This power is possessed 

 principally by the short, even-tailed, and less gor- 

 geously colored species. 



The following interesting account of a remarkable 

 bird, probably the Grey African Parrot,which possesses 

 the greatest imitative powers, is from Gosse's "Natu- 

 ral History of Birds." It is an extract from a letter 

 to a gentleman from the sister of its owner : 



"As you wished me to write down whatever I could 

 recollect about my sister's wonderful Parrot, I pro- 

 ceed to do so, only premising that I will tell you no- 

 thing but what I can vouch for having myself heard. 



