FACULTIES OF PARROTS. 



81 



pupils ; and that the birds were thus distinct 

 in their lessons, in consequence of continual 

 schooling." 



Although Parrots are endowed with the faculty 

 of imitating articulate sounds, in a much higher 

 degree than all other animals, yet we must not 

 consider this a proof of their superior intelligence, 

 as approaching to that of human intellect. 



The brain of Parrots is larger and more perfect 

 than that of any other of the races of birds. The 

 organs are better developed, and more numerous 

 in their convolutions, the anterior lobe of its hemi- 

 spheres being more prolonged than in predatory 

 birds, with a considerably wider encephalon, which 

 is more flatte'hed than long. Bat, with this supe- 

 riority of cerebral development, we can by no 

 means compare their intelligence with that of 

 humanity. It forms, as it were, a point of contact, 

 but it has no resemblance, — for all they utter is 

 not from reflection, but from imitation ; and it is 

 quite certain that they do not understand the 

 meaning of the words or sentences which they 

 chatter. 



There are two kinds of imitations connected 

 with animal life. The one is entirely of a physical 

 nature, and depends on organic similitude; the 

 other is dependant on the mind. The first of tliese 

 is possessed by Monkeys, Parrots, and other 

 animals ; while the second is an attribute of man 

 alone: the one dependant on memory only, with 

 organic functions, fitted for acquiring; the other 



