94 
THE PARROT. 
gether in flocks, and generally breed in hollow 
trees, where they make a round hole for the 
accommodation of their young ; but do not 
take the trouble of lining it within. The fe- 
male lays two or three eggs, about the size 
of those of a pigeon, and marked with little 
specks. The natives are very assiduous in 
seeking out their nests, and usually take them 
by cutting down the tree. By this means, in- 
deed, the young Parrots are liable to be killed ; 
but if one of them survive, it is considered as 
a sufficient recompense. The old ones are 
shot with heavy arrow's headed with cotton, 
which knock them down without killing them. 
The facility with which the Parrot is taught 
to speak, and the great number of sentences it 
is capable of repeating, are equally surprising. 
But its agreeable qualities are counterbalanced 
by the mischievous inclination it has to gnaw 
whatever it can reach. 
The food commonly given to these birds 
consists of hemp seed, nuts, fruits of every 
kind, and bread soaked in w ine ; they would 
