door, so that when a person
stood on the side of the street nearest the house, the birds could not
be seen.

"One day, when the family were all absent, some one rapped at the door,
when one of the parrots instantly called out,--

"'Who's there?'

"'The man with the leather,' was the reply.

"'Oh, ho!' retorted the parrot.

"The door not being opened as he expected, the stranger knocked again.

"'Who's there?' repeated the bird.

"'Why don't you come down?' cried the man, impatiently. 'I can't wait
all day.'

"'Oh, ho!' was the only response.

"The man now became furious, and leaving the knocker, began to pull
violently at the door bell, when the other parrot, who had not before
spoken, exclaimed, 'Go to the gate.'

"'What gate?' he asked, seeing no such convenience.

"'Newgate,' was the answer, just as the man, greatly enraged at the
thought of being sent to Newgate prison, ran back into the street, and
found out whom he was questioning."

"Dr. Thornton, a benevolent physician in London, once visited the
menagerie in Haymarket, where he saw a parrot confined by a chain
fastened to his leg. He talked with the bird, and found he could
imitate the barking of dogs, the cackling of fowls, and many sounds like
the human voice. The bird, however, seemed melancholy and restless,
which induced the good doctor to try and buy him of the owner. He
succeeded at last in getting him for the sum of seventy-five dollars,
which Dr. Thornton did not regret, since it would rescue the poor
creature from her present unhappy confinement.

"The first thing he did was to loose him from the chain, and carry him
home, where his diet was changed from scalded bread to toast and butter
for breakfast, and potatoes, dumplings, and fruit for dinner.

"At first, his poor feet were so cramped, and the muscles so much
weakened from long disuse, that he could not walk. He tottered at every
step, and in a few minutes appeared greatly fatigued. But his liberated
feet soon acquired uncommon agility, his plumage grew more resplendent,
and he appeared perfectly happy. He no longer uttered harsh screams, but
very readily learned many words, and amused himself for hours repeating
them. He attached himself particularly to his kind benefactor, and
always cheerfully practised his little accomplishments to please him,
calling out, 'What o'clock? Pretty fellow! Saucy fellow! Turn him out,
Poll.'

"He was friendly to the children of the family, and