92 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 



known, — not one of which naturally breeds in thei 

 countries that acknowledged the Roman power." 



iElian informs us, that Parrots became the' 

 favourites of princes, and other distinguished men., 

 They were held by them, and also by the mass ofl 

 the people, in religious veneration. Such, indeed,, 

 was the passion for these birds, that they werei 

 bought at prices as high as that paid for a slave, and 

 were kept in cages formed of silver and ivory. This 

 attachment was considered by the virtuous Cato as 

 puerile in the extreme, and ill befitting an age when 

 men's actions were only valued in proportion as they 

 gave proofs of their patriotism and personal prowess ; 

 and he consequently heaped reproaches of contempt 

 upon his countrymen for indulging in such an i 

 unmanly amusement as that of playing with Parrots. 



Still, however. Parrots continued to be longi 

 afterwards held in high estimation by the Romans, ; 

 and they were sold at most exorbitant prices, both 

 as subjects of amusement, and as delicacies for the 

 table. Heliogabalus, notorious for his inordinate 

 luxury, ostentation, and profligacy, had great num- 

 bers of Parrots served up at his entertainments. 



The Portuguese, who first doubled the Cape of 

 Good Hope, found on the coast of Africa, and in i 

 the islands of the Indian Ocean, various tribes of! 

 Parrots, totally unknown in Europe, and these were 

 in such vast numbers, that it was with diflficulty 

 they could be prevented from devouring the rice 

 and maize. There is a district of country north of 

 the Cape, which took it3 name from the multitude 



