100 
BLUE-FRONTED AMAZON. 
involuntary substitutions, which really prove his want of intelligence, 
pass, with unreflecting persons, for a mark of wit, of irony, or of some 
other quality of mind of which the animal is utterly destitute and 
incapable of acquiring. 
“ There are two kinds of imitations: one which is altogether physical, 
and dependant on similitude of organization; the other, the fruit of 
reflection, volition and intelligence; the first is possessed by the ape 
and the Parrot — the second by man alone; one requires nothing but 
memory, and an aptitude of organic functions — the other demands a 
profound study, like that of comedians and tragedians. A mere imi- 
tation of the exterior, such as a brute can give, is insufficient. The 
mind and soul must be moulded, as it were, on the model imitated; 
this requires a certain equiponderance of mental faculties, which cannot 
exist between man and a brute of any species. 
“The imitations of which we have been speaking differ again in an 
essential point. It is thus : the imitation which the animal can acquire 
being totally physical, perishes with the individual. 
“Many stories have been told, and repeated usque ad nauseam, of 
the marvellous deeds of these birds supposed to be consequent on their 
mental faculties; indeed, most persons are in possession of anecdotes, 
more or less wonderful, of particular individuals, which have fallen 
under their own observation, or that of their friends — anecdotes, which 
too often increase by repetition, till the true extent and character of 
the original facts are lost. Parrots will certainly sometimes repeat a 
word or a sentence, which circumstances may render particularly apt 
and applicable, as monkeys will sometimes use a gesture or an action 
strikingly human in its appearance; but a very slight acquaintance with 
these animals will convince any reasonable person that these imitative 
or mechanical qualities are not to be attributed to superior reason or 
sagacity; and, as much has been already said upon the subject, we 
shall not subjoin any repetition of thrice-told tales, or search for others 
of a similar character, which, however amusing, may be considered as 
destitute of instruction, and of equivocal veracity.'’'’ — Cuvier, R'egne 
Animal. 
Without endorsing the whole of the remarks just quoted, we may 
observe that we have possessed Parrots, and known others, that seemed 
to attach a certain significance to certain sounds : thus, an old Cockatoo 
of ours never called for “Potato!” except when he saw us sit down 
to dinner; and never said “Oh you’re a beauty!” but to a child; and 
again when he was angry he would exclaim, “Oh you bad Polly!” 
or “Oh you rascal!” never once making use of the many endearing 
expressions he was so lavish of at other times, which would tend to 
