100 BLUE-FRONTED AMAZON. 



involuntary substitutions, which really prove his want of intelligence, 

 pass, with unreflecting persons, for a mark of wit, of irony, or of some 

 other quality of mind of which the animal, is utterly destitute and 

 incapable of acquiring. 



"There are two kinds of imitations: one which is altogether physical, 

 and dependant on similitude of organization; the other, the frttit of 

 reflection, volition and intelligence; the first is possessed by the ape 

 and the Parrot — the second by man alone; one requires nothing but 

 memory, and an aptitude of organic functions — the other demands a 

 profound study, like that of comedians and tragedians. A mere imi- 

 tation of the exterior, such as a brute can give, is insufficient. The 

 mind and soul must be moulded, as it were, on the model imitated; 

 this requires a certain equiponderance of mental faculties, which cannot 

 exist between man and a brute of any species. 



"The imitations of which we have been speaking differ again in an 

 essential point. It is thus : the imitation which the animal can acquire 

 being totally physical, perishes with the individual. 



"Many stories have been told, and repeated usque ad nauseam, of 

 the marvellous deeds of these birds supposed to be consequent on their 

 mental faculties; indeed, most persons are in possession of anecdotes, 

 more or less wonderful, of particular individuals, which have fallen 

 under their own observation, or that of their friends — anecdotes, which 

 too often increase by repetition, till the true extent and character of 

 the original facts are lost. Parrots will certainly sometimes repeat a 

 word or a sentence, which circumstances may render particularly apt 

 and applicable, as monkeys will sometimes use a gesture or an action 

 strikingly human in its appearance; but a very slight acquaintance with 

 these animals will convince any reasonable person that these imitative 

 or mechanical qualities are not to be attributed to superior reason or 

 sagacity; and, as much has been already said upon the subject, we 

 shall not subjoin any repetition of thrice-told tales, or search for others 

 of a similar character, which, however amusing, may be considered as 

 destitute of instruction, and of equivocal veracity." — Cuviee, Regne 

 Animal. 



"Without endorsing the whole of the remarks just quoted, we may 

 observe that we have possessed Parrots, and known others, that seemed 

 to attach a certain significance to certain sounds : thus, an old Cockatoo- 

 of ours never called for "Potato!" except when he saw us sit down 

 to dinner; and never said "Oh you're a beauty!" but to a child; and 

 again when he was angry he would exclaim, "Oh you bad Polly!" 

 or "Oh you rascal!" never once making use of the many endearing 

 expressions he was so lavish of at other times, which would tend to 



