YELLOW-NAPBD AMAZON. Ill 



food of any kind whatever, should not on any account be given; as 

 by heating the blood, such unnatural diet leads to skin disease, and 

 is one cause at least of Parrots disfiguring themselves by plucking out 

 their own feathers; a habit that once contracted is most difficult of cure. 



We do not think these, birds have so far been bred in captivity, 

 though some Amazons had young ones in the wood at Northrepps; 

 but from the description given we conclude them to have been the 

 Blue-fronted Amazon; a much commoner importation than the Yellow- 

 naped. If however one species has multiplied in this country, there 

 is every inducement for amateurs to make trial of other members of 

 the genus; and the scarcer the species the more remunerative would 

 be the venture to the enterprising amateur. 



Another advantage would be that the progress of the nestling to 

 adult Parrothood, could be noted at every stage, and numerous doubtful 

 points in their history be satisfactorily cleared up; while it is reasonable 

 to suppose that creatures born in captivity would become more readily 

 domesticated, than others that had enjoyed a previous life of liberty; 

 or at least were the descents of wild birds, in which the hereditary 

 love of freedom would of necessity be strong. 



The Hon. and Rev. F. G. DuttorC s account of the Yelloiv-naped 

 Amazon (Chrysotis auripalliata). 



I have only kept one of these birds. I got it from Havre, where 

 it drew a great many people round the shop by its conversational 

 powers. It was quite young when it came to me, so young that there 

 was but a yellow feather or two showing where the gold nape ought 

 to be. I kept it through its next moult, and it was bought at the 

 Albert Palace Show by a lady, who tells me that she prizes it more 

 than all her other Parrots. It was very clever, but I think it missed 

 the lively streets of Havre, and found a quiet country parsonage in 

 England a surprising experience; for it was some time with me before 

 it said a word. It talked best after the arrival of a Double-fronted 

 Amazon, which came from Havre too. Then, it was very amusing to 

 hear them talking and answering one another, like a couple of old 

 Frenchwomen. It was said to sing three songs, of which the names 

 were given to me; but I think I may safely say that whatever the 

 accomplishments it had, those were certainly imaginary. 



And how many other Parrots are credited with saying and doing 

 things, of which they are as innocent as Mrs. Harris'' sister's child was 

 of "performing beautiful upon the ArpP I suppose the people who 

 tell you what Parrots say, really believe they have heard them. Let 



