50 
OBEY PARROT. 
“My house and plantation were situated at an elevation of some 
1200 feet above the sea-level and opposite to the Pico de Papagaio, 
a valley being between. Prom here I had an extensive view across to 
the Pico; and observing a trail in the direction of the tree which this 
particular flock of Parrots had taken for their resting-place, I deter- 
mined to pay them a visit. As the distance did not seem to be very 
great, I thought that by following the path visible from my house I 
should have little difficulty in reaching the wished-for spot without 
either guide or assistance. 
“Accordingly, on the 16th. of January, 1865, I set out unaccompanied, 
at daybreak, for the place in question, and soon reached the edge of 
the forest, but before I had penetrated very far it became evident 
that my plan was not so easy of execution as I had imagined, for that 
which from my window looked like a path, turned out to be merely 
a rough track or trail overrun with rank vegetation, which only served 
me for a short distance, and then became obliterated; this loss of track 
brought me to a standstill. I was alone and had no knowledge of 
the way, but being unwilling to return, having got thus far, I looked 
about in hopes of discovering in this dense tangle some place through 
which I might force a passage, but in vain! on all sides the lianos 
and other climbing plants grew so thickly, and presented such a high 
impenetrable barrier, that I felt to attempt to proceed further without 
a guide would be unsafe, and at once decided to retrace my steps 
and obtain the assistance of a native. Prom surrounding appearances 
I was convinced that many Parrots were breeding there already, and 
the idea of giving up a trip that promised such interesting results was 
not to be thought of. I hastened back and soon reached my house 
again. Having secured the aid of a native, who assured me that he 
was able to make his way to the place and find his way back, I set 
out again the same morning with the hope that this time my wish to 
reach the abode of the Parrots would be realized. 
“At nine o’clock we started, and after a very fatiguing journey, during 
which we had in many places literally to cut our way through the dense 
undergrowth, reached one of the places frequented by the Grey Parrots. 
My gratification at this moment was extreme. What should be done ? 
Shoot as many of the old birds as presented themselves, or seek out 
their nests and take the young ones home? We decided to take the 
young birds. Prom the noise we knew that many Parrots were in 
our vicinity: on all sides their joyful whistling resounded, and the falling 
of pits, or husks, and the stones of fruits, sufficiently proved that many 
were concealed in the trees about us. Up to this time we had not 
seen any; they kept themselves so well hidden among the leaves that 
