Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c9.s24.19

c9.s24.19

Among the birds, parrots and peacocks attracted particular notice. Arrian criticises Nearchus for writing at length about parrots as if they were a curiosity and saying that they were indigenous to India; but Aelian’s account, doubtless based on Nearchus and other writers, is not devoid of interest: ‘There are, I am informed, three species of them, and all these, if taught to speak, as children are taught, become as talkative as children, and speak with a human voice; but in the words they utter a bird-like scream, and neither send out any distinct or musical notes, nor being wild and untaught are able to talk’. The same writer observes that the peacocks of India were the largest anywhere met, and Alexander was so charmed with their beauty that he threatened the severest penalties against any one who should kill a peacock¹.