FACULTIES OF PARROTS. C)[ 



In the Contemplations de la Nature of M. Bonnet, 

 we find the following interesting acconnt of two birds 

 of this tribe. " A solitary gentleman, whose prin- 

 cipal delight had been in observing the unsophisti- 

 cated conduct of animals, and contrasting it with the 

 corrupt manners of man, which differ so widely from 

 those of Nature, gives the following account of the 

 affection of two birds. They were of that kind of 

 Parroquet, called Guinea Sparrows, and kept in a 

 square cage, such as is usually appropriated to that 

 species of bird. The cup which contained their 

 food was placed in the bottom of the cage. The 

 male was almost continually seated on the same 

 perch with the female. They sat close together, 

 and viewed each other from time to time with 

 evident tenderness. If they separated, it was but 

 for a few moments, for they hastened to return and 

 resume their situation. They commonly took their 

 food together, and then retired to the highest perch 

 of the cage. They often appeared to engage in a 

 kind of conversation, which was continued for some 

 time, and they seemed to answer each other, varying 

 their sounds, and elevating and lowering their voices. 

 Sometimes they seemed to quarrel, but those emo- 

 tions were but of a momentary duration, and suc- 

 ceeded by additional tenderness. This happy pair 

 thus passed four years in a climate greatly different 

 from that in which they had before lived. At the 

 end of that period the female fell into a state of 

 languor, which had all the appearance of old age. 

 Her legs swelled and grew knotty. It was no 



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