120 
NATURAL HISTORY 
PARROT. 
The Parrot is the best known among us 
of all foreign birds, as it unites the greatest 
beauty with the greatest docility. There is 
no tribe of birds so numerous as this. More 
than a hundred and seventy distinct species 
have already been ascertained. They inhabit 
only hot climates, where they collect together 
in vast flocks, and, by their beautiful colours, 
give great brilliancy to the- woods which 
they frequent. The ease with which these 
birds are taught to speak, and the number of 
words which they are capable of repeating, 
are surprising. They not only articulate 
words, but also sing verses of songs j and 
their memory is astonishing. 
The ash-coloured Parrot is about, twenty 
inches in length. Its plumage is of a hoary 
cincrous colour, with a scarlet tail. 
