A. Hampe—My Blackcapped Lory



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tried to keep an Eclectus or another Lory, he got so excited that I had

to refrain from having another Parrot. As food Polly had the usual

mixture of Mellin’s with condensed milk, besides bread and milk, and

often a simple rice pudding, besides all fruit in season. This simple

nourishment suited Polly evidently very well, for he was always in the

best of condition and as lively as a cricket.


To my deep and everlasting regret, Polly had, like so many birds

which are kept as pets, a sad end. I had been on long leave in Europe,

and on my return was living in an hotel.


Soon the guests complained of the noise Polly made in the morning,

and to avoid unpleasantness I took him to my office. Here he was

liked by everybody. Many a hearty laugh I heard from my Chinese

customers when in the middle of an animated conversation and bargain¬

ing, Polly shouted “ Lalilung ” (robber).


On a busy mail day, Polly sat on my shoulder as usual. I had to

leave my little private office to fetch a book, and put Polly on the

chair. I could not find the book, and Polly, missing me, flew into the

general office in search of me.


But unfortunately he missed my shoulder and landed on the floor.

At the same moment a strange cat appeared through the open door

on the scene, and seized Polly. He gave a fearful screech, and the cat

let him go. I carefully examined him, could not detect anything,

and put him into his cage. But the next morning I found Polly on

the bottom of the cage in a very bad condition. His whole head was

swollen, evidently blood-poisoning had set in. T took him out, and he

died in my hand.


You can imagine my feelings. I have possessed hundreds of birds,

but never have I regretted the loss of one as much as that of my Lory.

I tried to replace Polly, and had several Lories afterwards, Black¬

caps, Bubras, etc., but none could equal him, and he will never be

forgotten.



