The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-01-27
OF BIRDS.
From Goodrich's Sixth Reader

- I'D y. - 49, |fN
That birds are capable of exhibiting
attachment to those who feed and at
tend them is undeniable. Deprived Of
other society. some Of the more in
telligent species, particularly the
thrushes. soon learn to seek out the
company of human friends and pro-
tectors.
The brown thrush and the hooking
bird become, in this way. extremely ia
miliar, cheerful and playful; the for
Of its master. follows his steps, COM
plains when neglected.. flies to him
when suffered to be at large. and sings
and reposes gratefully perched on his
hand. In short, by all Its actions, It
appears capable OF real and affection
ate attachment; 1t Is Jealous Of every
rival: particularly OF any other bird.
hatred.
One Of these birds, which I raised
and kept uncaged, exhibited playful
turn for mischief. It would sometimes
interrupt me by snatching OF the pa
per on which I was writing. It had a
good degree of curiosity. and was much
surprised one day by a large springipg
beetle. which I had caught and placed
In a tumbler.
# cautiously approached the glass.
| with tanning and closing Wings, and in
IN undertOne confessed its surprise. at
She address and jumping motions OF
the huge insect. At length It became
resembleds its ordinary prey of beetles,
" ventured, with some hesitation, be-
tween temerityg and ~playfulness, to
snatch at III prisoner. But when real
~ alarmed or offended, 1t Instantly new
to Its loftiest perch, opposed all friendly
approaches, and for some time kept up
Its low and angry tsherr.
A late naturalist was also much
amused by the Intelligence displayed by
one Of this species. He relates that,
being fond OF hard crumbs of bread. his
bird found, when they grated it's throat,
Q very rational remedy by soaking them
in its vessel Of water. Experience like
wise taught it that the painful wound
1nnicted by the Wasps on which 1t fed
could be obviated by extracting thei1
stings. .
The remarkable talent of q parrot fo1
initiating, the tones OF. the human voice
has long been well known. The most
Extraordinary and authentic account OF
the actions Of n of the common ash
colored species is that of a bird which
was bought for a hundred guineas.
This bird not only repeated a great
number of sentences. but answered
many questions, and was able to
whistle a variety Of tunes. While thus
engaged 1t beat time with all the ap
pearance Of science and showed SO &C.
curate an q that, IL by chance 1t mfs-
took q note. 1t would revert to the bal
where the mistake was made, correct
itself and, still beating regular time
go again through the whole with per.
feet exactness.
The story related Of a parrot belong.
ing to King Henry. VII. is very anus.
ing, and possibly true. It was kept II
a. room In the palace. overlooking the
Thames, and had naturally learned
store Of bOatmen's phrases. One day
sporting somewhat Intentionally, Pol
fell into the river, but had reason
enough, 1t appears, to make aprpntabls
use of the words she had learned, and
accordingly vociferated, IA boat! e.
for a boat" ~ S.qa@
This welcome sound reaching thesear,
OF a waterman, he brought assiatanc,
to the parrot. and delivered 1t, to tn,
king, with a request; to be paid tn,
round sum SO readily promised by tn,
bird. Butghis majesty, dissatisfied witt
the exorbitant demandss4greed. at an,
rate. to give him what the bird shoulS
now award; in answer to which refer
ence Poll shrewdly cried, give tn,
kknave a groat."
Locke. In his Essay on the Human
Understanding" relates OF a pafro
somethfng approaching closely to rea;
son. This parrot had attracted the az
tention of h governor OF Brazil. VIII.
mad a curiosity to witness its power
The bird was introduced into tn,
broom where a the governor in com
pany with several Dutchmen. On view
ing them.l the parrot exclaimed i,