But, apart from imitative talent, there are other considerations. Above all, every parrot which is to be taught must enjoy perfect health and strength and have careful management. Further, as said before, the greater or less degree of tameness must have much influence. It is said that some birds never learn to speak clearly, but always pronounce with a lisp or rattle, or hoarsely; but, in my opinion, this is always much more the fault of the teacher. There is no reason whatever to be discouraged if a parrot repeats the first words taught it indistinctly, in spite of their having been most clearly pronounced to it. This is always the case at first, with very few exceptions, and only after shorter or longer exercise is it able to pronounce words fully and clearly.

It must be remembered that even the fully acclimatised parrot is very susceptible of any change, whether it be in food, attendance, treatment, or habitation. It may from such a cause become so excited and vexed as to sit for a long time silent and melancholy. This may be the reason why most speaking parrots, when sold and passing into the hands of a stranger (as mentioned on page 16) do not at first give any signs of their valuable peculiarities. Hence also the unfortunate fact that at a bird show it is scarcely possible to give the premium to the best speakers. At least, there is always the danger lest the judge commit a great injustice; for while one accustoms itself rapidly to its new surroundings, another - and perhaps a much more valuable bird - obstinately refuses to utter a single word. Moreover, many highly gifted and well taught parrots never speak in the presence of a stranger, and as they naturally decrease greatly in value in this case, great importance must be attached to teaching every parrot not to be in the least disturbed by the presence of a new comer.

Amongst the dealers and parrot trainers of the seaport towns a mode of proceeding is frequently adopted which I must at least mention, even though I can by no means recommend it. The cage is covered during the whole time of training with a cloth, so that the parrot - like young canaries in the box in which they are taught to sing - sits almost in complete darkness, and every disturbance and distraction being thus prevented, the whole attention of the bird is directed to its talking lessons.

I consider it much more advisable to place a tamed trained speaking parrot beside a wild and frightened bird. All large parrots, especially the short-tailed species, are really clever birds; they soon see that no harm happens to their companion, imitate its quietness, and often lose their wildness in an astonishingly short time. They also learn from it much faster than from the trainer to imitate human words, etc. Thus, a Mealy Amazon Parrot, which was clever in speaking and singing, taught a Blue-fronted Amazon to speak just as well. The Baroness von Siegroth gave a Grey Parrot a young Amazon to teach. It repeated words to its pupil for a time, and when the latter did not learn them the Grey Parrot cried out, "Blockhead!" and turned away contemptuously. Later on, when the Amazon had learnt several things, partly from its companion and partly from its owner, the two parrots held conversations early in the mornings, when they thought they were unnoticed. The lady heard the following conversation one morning . Rosa (this was the name of the Grey) - "Have you any money?" Coco (this was the Amazon), in a sorrowful tone - "No." Rosa - "Rosa comes from-------" Coco - "Africa." Rosa - "The Emperor William!" Coco- "Long life to him." Rosa - "Battalion!' Coco - "March." On the other hand, in opposition to this last recommendation, it is necessary at the beginning of the training to avoid placing two or more untrained parrots in the same or adjoining rooms, for they disturb each other, and encourage each other to scream.

Whoever has an excellent speaker, especially a Grey Parrot, a large Levaillant's Amazon, or some similar parrot, often becomes (it may be involuntarily) quite enthusiastic about the talented creature. In this way many authors have allowed themselves to be carried away, so that they have given most extraordinary accounts of the accomplishments of these speakers. "Only too often," says Rowley, speaking on this subject, "has the endeavour been made to ascribe to the bird the complete and clear understanding of the sentence uttered, without considering that the partiality of the owner deceives him only too easily - for the wish is father to the thought." Such an exaggerated notion may be avoided by adhering simply to facts. It must always be recollected that the parrot has understanding, but not reason, that it can think and draw conclusions, but has not the power of perceiving, as we do, psychologically. It would be very unjust to maintain that the parrot merely chatters words mechanically, without ever having any idea of the meaning. How coaxingly it begs for some tit-bit, how angrily it can scold if it does not get it, how joyfully it chatters when its master returns after a long absence, and cries welcome to him. When anyone goes away, it will always say, "Good bye!" and not "I am glad to see you!" and when someone knocks it will say, "Come in!" When it wishes for something, it will say, "Please!" and "Thank you!" when it receives it. How attentively it heeds its lesson, and how well it can express its pleasure when it has learnt something new. These are facts which cannot be questioned, and which can be confirmed by everyone who has observed these birds closely. Indeed, it is true that the parrot is not merely raised by the gift of speech far above other animals, but that in mental talents - in which respect the dog alone can be compared to it - it is nearly allied to man.

I would also direct attention to the fact that as a parrot progresses in learning it at the same time increases greatly in value. A Grey Parrot, or one of the so-called Amazon Parrots, which may be bought in a raw condition, for 20s., 24s., 30s., 45s., to 60s., can be sold for double the sum when it speaks a word or two, and will fetch £10 when it can say some sentences, or even much more, say from £15 to £50, when taught many things.

One of the great advantages of parrots in general as cage birds is the small amount of attention which they need. All who have considered how simply and inexpensively these very valuable birds can be managed, must agree with me in this. A further peculiarity of parrots, especially of the larger species, which naturally increases the value, is that they live to an extraordinary age. It cannot, of course, be known what age they attain in freedom, but in cages there are examples known, particularly amongst Cockatoos, Grey Parrots, Amazons, etc, in which they have lived much more than a hundred years.

No further directions for parrot training can be given, nor are they necessary; for whoever has the inclination and ability for it will certainly be able to teach any talented bird by following the directions I have given.