Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-10-25
A CHAPTER ON PARROTS.

cies, ash. .colored, with tip of red ol
their tail feathers. OF "Polly," who wa
bought in Leadenhall Market, in 1865,
gave an account in the Galaag, seyera
years ago. OF POLL" purchased to re
lieve poor tradesman from an executio,
in his house, for rent, have less to tell
She had lost her beauty by scald on tn
head, and mover possessed the winninl
ways OF her companion. She would, in
deed, say, when the reason of her balC
pate was asked, "I've been scalded;" and
whenever bald headed gentleman enter
ed the room, she shouted to him, "You'vt
been scalded!' and then, turning to he
friends, and changing her grammar cor
rectly, would cry out, to our infinite an
noyance, Hes been scaldedl" She could
cry, Hip, hip, hurrahl three cheers TO,
the queenP' could sing and dance to the
tune of Polly put the kettle on, wen ali
have tea;' and would ask very perempto
rily for her meals, Thomas, fetch nv
dinner-Poll's hungryw But she had nc
winning ways, made no friends, did moi
discriminate character, and left the mem
ory of only single trait worthy of record
Ihat trait was certainly singular. She
caught everybody 'slaugh. l never noticed
the peeuliarity of laughs in my family till
"Poll' began to simulate them. From
the femme giggle to the masculine guffaw
from the boisterous laugh of the chill.
dren to the litter of the house-maid
catching the gamut of every member of
our household, even to the Suppressed
hlccough of James the footman. whose
good English breeding allowed only the
slightest demonstration of any sentiment
whatever-"Poll" would deliver by the
n49r i a series of idiosyncz1tiC, laughs,
which, amusing enough atsa made her
limitations at last an intolerabie nuisance
When she once began. heraRochinnations,
nothing, nothing would stop ed, when
life, her very last breath shaped itself into
giggle, so true to it's original that to
those who stood around her cage, mourn.
ing over her death. agonies, it was ire.
slstlbly ludicrous. Laughing herself, she
died IN the very odor of laughter.
They tell good story in Newgate
Street, London, of a parrot, or of two
parrots rather, gray and a green one,
belonging to Morley, a tradesman in the
Old Bailey, just opposite the prison, which
is vouched for as true in the strictest
sense. The man had a wonderful ''bird
sense, " and his power of training birds
became famous throughout the mctropo.
lis. He had taught his green parrot to
speak whenever a knock was heard at his
streetdoor; but, when the bell of the same
door was rung, he had taught the gray
parrot to answer The house, still stand.
ing, has one of those projecting porches
that prevent the second story from being
seen from the pavement One day, a
person knocked. "Who is there?"
asked the green parrot. "The
man with the leather" was the reply,
The bird answered, "All right" and then
became silent. After waiting some time,
and not finding the door opened, the man
knock ked again. "Who is there?" again
asked the green parrot. "Who's there?''
cried the porter, outside. "Its |, the
man with the leather; why don't you open
the door?" "All right!'' repeated the
parrot, which so enraged the man that he
furiously rang the bell. "Go to the gate"
shouted new voice, which proceeded
from the gray parrot. "To the gate!" re-
peated the man, seeing no gate; "what
gate" 'Nswgatel Newgatep' responded
the gray parrot. The porter was enraged;
but, stepping across the street, the better
to answer what he supposed to be the in.
science of the house-maids, he saw that
he had been outwitted and teased by
couple of parrots.
This same Morley had been EMPLOYED
by gentleman, who had heard of his
knowledge OF birds, t2 purchase for him
white cockatoo. The price was of less
importance than the health, disposition.
and breeding of the bird. She was to use
no bad language, be subject to no fits of
passion, have been trained to be handled
by women and children, and be cleanly
in her habits. Morley took great pains
to please his employer, and at last sent
him home perhaps the most perfect speci-
men of the breed ever seen in London.
AS saw the bird ten years ago, nothing
in the way of ornithological beauty
could surpass it. OF pure, snowy
white from top of crown to tip of |
tail; withouttra speck of lead gray,
or crimson, on single feather; |
free from all sign of cross with paroouet |
Or macaw; and in shape, attitude, bearing |
and action, as distinguishable as a blood. |
ed horse" Beauty" as she was called. |
stood unrivaled. When she was sent |
home, there was perfect satisfaction; the
employer was pleased, as he well might |
be; the family of daughters in ecstasies of |
and Morley richly remuner-
ited for his trouble. But the bird would |
lot talk. This was attributed, at first,
% rear; then to change of diet; and, at |
asst, to absolute inability OF course,
here was great disappointment. "Beau-
US" cage hung at the dining.room win
low; every visitor was in admiration of |
Ter spotless plumage and faultless shape;
md, OF course, everybody sympathized in
he disappointment at her irremediable
lefect.
"What pity it is she does not talk"
emarked person one day at dinner.
She would be worth her weight in
old"
"She almost cost it as it is" said
'aJerfamilias. "The creature is a cheat
'ine feathers don't make fine birds,
ertainly not fine parrots. L paid ten
uineas for her, and she cannot say one
vord."
"Aye, but I think tie morei What's the
se Of talking, If y0u haze notbing to sayH
anne in clear, articulate sounds from the
age, to the amazement of family and
uests.
THAT settled forever "Beauty's" su.
'remscy.
Happy as this rejoinder was, it by no
means gives full idea of the intelligence
f the bird. She would not learn what
on tried to teach her. and she would
earn what she ought not. Her owner.
Dr.. Hall, one day peremptorily dis.
harged servant After shutting the
oor OF the study, the latter exclaimed,
n anger:
Curse him Dr. Hall is great ras-
all
The bird heard and caught the words,
nd could never be made to unlearn them.
Dr.. Hamilton Roe, waiting one morning
! DIR. HALLS ante.rooni, observed
Beauty" and jocularly said
"Who are you 2"
"Beduty's Or. Halls humpeter-r0-tO,to-
% !" replied the bird; but, Immediately
ecoming grave, and edging confidential
, toward the side of the cage, she added,
a loWervoice "OurSe him Or. Halls
great TdscdlW
Whether 1t is possible to entirely Grad
,at0 bad habits In parrots is doubtful.
aptain Simpson, well known by transat.
ntic passengers, used TO duck his paro'
net every time II swore an oath. This
,emed 70 cure him of uslng profane Ian.
lage' The creature really connected an