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(Recorded in the "Food" section)

[Names] Yingge (common name), Gan'gao.

Li Shizhen states: According to *Zishuo* (Explanation of Characters), the parrot learns its native language like an infant learning from its mother, hence the character 'Ying' is derived from 'Yingmu' (infant and mother). It is also written as 'Wuying'. Xiong Taigu says: The larger ones are called 'Ying', and the smaller ones are called 'Yingge'. Thus, the meaning of 'Ying' is taken from this context. Shi Kuang called it 'Gan'gao', Li He called it 'Longke', and the Sanskrit texts refer to it as 'Suotuo'.

[Collection and Explanation] Li Shizhen states: There are several types of parrots: Green parrots originate from Longshu, and are particularly abundant in southern Yunnan, Jiaozhou, and Guangzhou near the coast. They are as large as crows and magpies, flying in flocks of hundreds, and people in the south regard them as delicacies; Red parrots are purple-red in color and of similar size; White parrots come from the Western Regions and Southern Fan lands, as large as hens; Five-colored parrots come from various overseas countries, larger than green parrots but smaller than white ones, with a particularly intelligent and sharp nature. All have crimson hooked beaks, long tails, red feet, golden eyes, deep-set orbits, and eyelids that can blink both up and down. Their tongues are flexible like those of infants. Their toes are arranged two front and two back, distinct from other birds. They fear cold; if they shiver due to cold, they may die as if suffering from miasma, which can be cured by feeding them Phyllanthus emblica (Yuganzi). Some say stroking their backs renders them mute. Others say male parrots' beaks turn crimson, while females' remain black unchanged. Zhang Sizheng's *Juan You Lu* (Travelogue of Weariness) states, "There are yellow fish in the sea that can transform into parrots," which must refer to another species. Qinjiliao and Niaofeng can also mimic human speech and are appended below:

[Appendix] Qinjiliao Li Shizhen states: This is the Lige bird, written as Jieliao Niao in the *Book of Tang*, a transliteration of a foreign term. It originates from the dong (tribal areas) of Rong, Guan, Lian, and Yong prefectures in Lingnan. It is as large as a myna, dark blue-black in color. It has yellow fleshy crests on both sides of the head, resembling human ears. It has a crimson beak, yellow spurs, a tongue and eyes resembling a human's, deep yellow stripes connecting under the eyes to the neck, and splits at the crown and tail. It can mimic human speech with a rather heavy and resonant voice. It is fed with cooked chicken meat mixed with rice. There are also white varieties.

Niaofeng According to Fan Chengda's *Yu Heng Zhi*: Niaofeng originates from the dong areas of the Left and Right Jiang rivers in Guhai. It is as large as a magpie, azure-green in color. Its neck feathers resemble those of a rooster, and it has a crest on its head. Two soft bones hang from its tail, measuring one chi and four or five cun in length, with feathers only at the very tip. Its shape somewhat resembles a phoenix. Its voice is clear and melodious like sheng and xiao instruments; it can sing small tunes conforming to the Gong and Shang musical modes, and can imitate the sounds of various birds. It is rare even in its native region.

Parrot Meat

[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, salty, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Consuming it can cure deficiency-type coughing (Wang Ying).