What is "parrot coal"

Parrot \Par"rot\ (p[a^]r"r[u^]t), n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf. Paroquet, Petrel, Petrify.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order Psittaci.

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of Psittacus, Chrysotis, Pionus, and other genera of the family Psittacid[ae], as distinguished from the parrakeets, macaws, and lories. They have a short rounded or even tail, and often a naked space on the cheeks. The gray parrot, or jako ( Psittacus erithacus) of Africa (see Jako), and the species of Amazon, or green, parrots ( Chrysotis) of America, are examples. Many species, as cage birds, readily learn to imitate sounds, and to repeat words and phrases.

   Carolina parrot (Zo["o]l.), the Carolina parrakeet. See Parrakeet.

   Night parrot, or Owl parrot. (Zo["o]l.) See Kakapo.

   Parrot coal, cannel coal; -- so called from the crackling and chattering sound it makes in burning. [Eng. & Scot.]

   Parrot green. (Chem.) See Scheele's green, under Green, n.

   Parrot weed (Bot.), a suffrutescent plant ( Bocconia frutescens) of the Poppy family, native of the warmer parts of America. It has very large, sinuate, pinnatifid leaves, and small, panicled, apetalous flowers.

   Parrot wrasse, Parrot fish (Zo["o]l.), any fish of the genus Scarus. One species ( Scarus Cretensis), found in the Mediterranean, is esteemed by epicures, and was highly prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

n. (context UK Scotland dated English) cannel coal

The Parrot Coal is a geologic formation in England. It preserves fossils dating back to the Carboniferous period.