104 CUBAN P ABBOT. 



Eef erring to some old catalogues of the Crystal Palace Bird Shows, 

 we find that a White-headed Parrot was exhibited there in 1883, in 

 the ' c Any other variety of large Parrots " Class, and took a third 

 prize; the price affixed was £4 4s. Another was shown in 1884 by 

 Mr. Washer, under the ill-omened name of '< Cut-throat Amazon," 

 but was left unnoticed by the Judges; the price asked was £2 10s. 

 In 1885, Miss Ada Skinner showed a very fine specimen, that took 

 first prize in the same class, and was valued at the comparatively low 

 figure of £3 10a. The same bird was exhibited the following year by 

 the same owner, who then priced it at £5 10s., but it only succeeded 

 in gaining a fourth prize; and in 1887 none were shown. 



The food for this species is the same already recommended more 

 than once for members of this sub-family, namely, hemp seed, maize, 

 boiled and raw, and canary seed. A morsel of sweet cake, or biscuit, 

 or a bit of stale bread, may be given now and then for a change, as 

 well as a slice of raw carrot, or ripe apple, or a few grapes. "Sop" 

 is not to be advised ; but water, both for drinking and bathing, should 

 always be available; while sharp grit is a sine qua non if the bird is 

 to retain its health and beauty. A log of soft wood will afford amusing 

 occupation ; and a fly round the room now and then will exercise the 

 wings and the comparatively large muscles that move them. 



Occasionally the claws or the beak become overgrown and must be 

 cut ; which can be done by means of a sharp pair of scissors or a nail 

 nipper, which is perhaps the better instrument of the two for the 

 purpose. The bird should be held in the hands of another person, 

 and for security from bites should be wrapped in a towel or napkin, 

 leaving exposed merely the parts that are to be operated on. After 

 a time, or two, should it be necessary to repeat the cutting, the bird 

 will not make nearly so much resistance as at first; and finally the 

 cloth may be dispensed with, as the Parrot will submit with resignation 

 to the inevitable. 



We recollect a short time before his lamented death, seeing a very 

 fine specimen of this bird at the establishment of Mr. Anton Jamrach. 

 It spoke several words with a very fair distinctness, and was so tame 

 it would allow him to take it out of its cage, and toss it about without 

 resisting or appearing to be frightened in the least. We forget the 

 price he asked for it; but probably it was somewhat high, or the 

 bird would have exchanged owners, as it was a pretty gentle creature ; 

 and being yet young, gave good promise of becoming a valuable 

 acquisition in the near future. 



It is, however, a mistake to suppose that Parrots, generally, do not 

 require to be taught; but that they will pick up of their own accord 



