Talking Birds . 
151 
warning his companion, saying, “ If you let go the 
bonnet, I’ll give you none of the spoil. ” A threat 
that one would have thought was very little called 
for. 
Parrots, of course, come first among talking 
birds. Jackdaws speak as distinctly, but have not 
nearly so much to say : and the Parrots manage 
too to be so connected in their talk. One Parrot, 
some time ago, used to be very naughty. She had 
learnt to swear very badly on the voyage home, 
and in the morning, on first entering the room, 
such conversations as this would pass between one 
of her friends and Poll. “ Good morning,” Poll 
would say. 
“ Good morning, Polly.” 
“ Kiss me, kiss me, give me a kiss,” and Poll 
would open her beak and make a great to-do. 
“ Kiss me, kiss me ; ” and then if you did not 
kiss her, Poll would get abusive, and tell you to 
go away, swearing at you quite shockingly, 
ruffling up her feathers, and stamping her foot in 
a rage. 
If, however, you kissed Poll, she would put out 
her forehead meekly, and then highly gratified, 
would say, “ Pretty Polly, God save the Queen,” 
and display all her learning. 
