Why are class methods not classmethods?

[Steven D'Aprano]

There's some subtle behaviour going on here that I don't really follow. 
Class methods apparently aren't classmethods.


>>> class Parrot(object):
...     def method(self, *args):
...             return self, args
...     @classmethod
...     def cmethod(cls, *args):
...             return cls, args
...
>>> type(parrot.method)  # as expected
<type 'instancemethod'>
>>> type(parrot.cmethod)  # I don't expect this result
<type 'instancemethod'>
>>> type(classmethod(parrot.method))
<type 'classmethod'>
>>> 
>>> parrot.cm = classmethod(parrot.method)
>>> type(parrot.cm)  # I expect this
<type 'classmethod'>
>>> 
>>> Parrot.CM = classmethod(parrot.method)
>>> type(Parrot.CM)  # but not this
<type 'instancemethod'>


Can anyone explain why class methods bound to a class are instancemethods 
rather than classmethods?




-- 
Steven.