OF PARROTS. 51 



animal food, and they not imfrequently acquire a 

 strong predilection for it. Indeed, instances have 

 been known when they rejected all other nutriment. 

 This predilection has been supposed, in some 

 instances, to have produced in Parrots a relish for 

 plucking out their own feathers, so that they might 

 suck the blood from the stems. Some have been 

 so much addicted to this, that they stripped their whole 

 bodies, not even excepting the down, the larger 

 feathers of their wings and tails alone beiug left, in 

 consequence of the pain that would have been 

 occasioned by plucking them out. Latreille, the 

 celebrated entomologist, had a Parrot which so 

 completely denuded itself, that Desmai'est said. 



It resembled a pullet ready plucked for roasting.'* 

 In this naked condition it survived, with unim- 

 paired health and appetite, two rigorous winters. 

 Vieillot, however, is of opinion, that it is not from 

 an acquired habit of eating animal food that PaiTots 

 thus plucked out their plumage, but from some 

 irritation in the skin. Our own observation has 

 taught us to believe, that animal food produces an 

 intense itching in the Parrot's skin, which gives 

 rise to this habit ; and we have known it induced 

 by giving the bird a small quantity of butter, which 

 chanced to be slightly impregnated with salt. 



Parrots drink frequently, but in small quantities : 

 in this operation, they raise their heads less than is 

 the custom with other birds. In a domestic state, 

 they have been taught to drink wine, and to eat 

 bread which has been immersed in wine. 



