PARROT. 
425 
to raise her up, repeating his efforts for that pur- 
pose several times. All his actions indicated a strong 
desire to aid the weakness of his companion, and 
alleviate her sufferings. When the female was on 
the point of expiring, her unfortunate partner 
seemed exceedingly agitated. He went round and 
round her without ceasing, redoubled his assiduities, 
and attempted to open her bill, in order to give her 
some nourishment : his emotions increased when 
he found this was impossible, and at intervals he 
uttered the most plaintive cries ; at other times re- 
garding her with a fixed attention. His faithful 
companion at length expired, and was followed in a 
few months by her mate, who pined for her loss 
till his death. 
We are assured by Labat that the parakeets in 
Brasil are the most beautiful as well as the most 
talkative birds in nature. They are very tame, and 
seem fond of mankind ; they often talk with him 
in their noicy manner, and appear resolved to have 
the last word. Their flesh is the most delicate 
imaginable, and highly esteemed by the natives. 
They swarm in the woods ; but as they are green, 
and exactly the colour of the leaves among which 
they sit, the fowler only hears their prattle, without 
being able to see a single bird. The coincidence of 
colour between their bodies and the surrounding 
foliage would secure them effectually from the 
fowler, if they would but be quiet. Unfortunately, 
however, for these little animals, they are restless 
and ever on the wing, so that in flying from one 
