New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-12
PARRAKEET AND MONKEY.
SiniLarities of Bird and Animal an
Teasing and 4crObatic Contests.

By c. William Beebe, Curator Of Ornithology.
New-York Geological Society.
The finding of real or fancied analogies be-
tween very dissimilar creatures is a faVorite
pastime with some natural history writers, and
the suggestion of these superficial resemblances
has in many Instances been preserved in the
common name by which the animal is known.
Thus have seacows and starfish, night
hawks and dragonfiies, which creatures have
nothing IN common with COWS. fish. hawks and
flies. respectively.
One analogy, however is remarkable, namely,
the resemblances between parrots and monkeys.
This. OF course, has its foundation in the intel
lectual characteristics, the differences in ap-
pearance and structure being vast. 1t is, in
deed, this very physical unlikeness which &c
centuates the mental correlation. Without
straining point may carry the analogy fur
Their. and aptly compare the larger parrots with
the more staid apes, while the parrakeets reflect
the characteristics Of the smaller simians.
Some fifteen parrakeets share a small cage
in the birdhouse Of the New-York Geological
Park. To watch their little world half an hour
is TO give one much to laugh at and much TO
muse over, and leaves one with few human
emotions which deserve that exclusive qualillca-
ton
The enjoyment taken in teasing is one Of the
first characteristics we VIII notice, and soon It
Is apparent that two individuals long tailed
green paIrakeets. are most persistent in anus
ing themselves at the expense Of the other birds
Watch them now, as they stand on the floor
OF the cage with their beaks close together.
Their little knowing eyes roll upward toward
gorgeous rosehin parrakeet, preening itself on
a perch above them. They separate and climb.
II not hand over hand, at least bill over feet,
up the wire opposite sides and, apparently
by the merest accident both reach the afore-
said perch and begin to side carelessly along it.
When the rosehiu stops his preening they pre-
tend utter disinterest, whet their bills on the
perch beside them, pick imaginary piece of
dirt from one foot, As they approach their vic
tim their little feet move faster. until with
rush one reaches him. and raising wings and
feathers, pretends a fierce attack Well he
knows he is match for the bigger bird
and the rosehin Indignantly drives him back
His partner in crime is now at hand and from
the opposite side stretches out a tiny beak seizes
the larger birds wing and pulls it violently
The rosehill turns on longtan No and forces
him into a frantic gallop along the perch. At
lacked first on one side, then on the other
rosehill at last gives 1t up and flies TO a higher
tWig Then the two practical jokers meet and
touch tongues, and pour forth a series of
chuckles which are nothing If not hilarious
This pair Of birds have invented another
amusement After feeding time when several
OF the inmates Of this little cage are doing on
the branches of a small sapling one of our long
tailed green friends will slyly climb to a point
where he can just reach the tip of the longest
branch. Backing steadily downward he draws
the tip with him until his strength and weight
IAN. and then giving last quick jerk, he lets
the branch fly back, TO the sudden discontinue
OF al the perching individuals and the intense
Joy OF himself and his mate
Another sport which this extremely playful
pair OF parrakeets have taught themselves Is
wrestling. This, far from being at the expense
Of some other bird, is an amusement which all
enjoy. and every parrakeet in the cage will
watch the bouts intently as long as they are In
oulged In. The term wrestling is strictly an
plicable shall see. The contestants walk
or run around each other in a circle now and
then making false move feint. Sometimes
they VIII interhook their beaks and a tug of war
results. but more generally one of the birds will
raise its foot and grasp its opponents wing or
leg. Instantly there ensues a rough and tumble
melee The two little birds roll over and over
twist around head downward or any way and
altogether behave in anything but a birdlike
manner. After minute or two they serarata
shake their ruffied feathers into place and are
ready for another turn. 1t is a most remark
able performance for birds. but again and again
al al times of the day. it may be witnessed.
Farrakeets take as much pleasure and interest
In preening and arranging one another's nlu
mage as do monkeys in their untiring but less
worthy attentions to each others fur. The
greeting OF parrakeets is either a tongue touch
or bowling OF the head of one and a friendly
scratch from the second bird as they pass each
other.
Inc long tail feathers of most parrakeets af-
Zorro as Irresistible opportunity for pract,ca,
JOKING as the more vital appendages of mon
Keys. have seen parrakeet sleeping soundIy.
its tan reaching within eight or ten inches of the
moor while beneath three festive individuals
were trying their best TO reach and nip its tin.
xaere seemed TO be understanding that wings