The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-07
Anecdotes of Parrots.

| From Chambers Journal.
The death of a parrot was thus an
nounced in the General Evening Post
! for the 9th of October, 1902: ga few
days ago died in Half.moon street,
Piccadilly. the celebrated parrot of
Col. O'Kelly. This singular bird sang
number OF songs in perfect time aid
tune. She could express her wants
articulately, and give her orders in a
manner nearly approaching to ration
atty. Her age was not known it was,
however, more than thirty years, for,
previously to that period, Col. O'Kelly
bought her at Bristol for hundred
guineas. The Colonel was repeatedly
offered five hundred guineas a year for
the bird by persons who wished to
make a public exhibition of her; but
this, out of tenderness for his favorite.
he constantly refused" This parrot,
we are told, ''beat time with all the
appearance of science and so accur-
ate was its judgement that if by
chance it mistook note, it would re-
vert to the bar where the mistake was
made, correct itself, and, still beating
regular time, go through The whole
WILL "O1lOC1lt III tAIbCC1lCSS.
In WillOughby's translation of Cla-
sius, his Discourse and Account of Par
rous, we read as follows: "The noble
Philip Marnixius of St. Aldegond had
parrot whom have oft heard laugh
like a man, when he was by the by
ISLANDERS hidden so to do in the French
tongue, in these words, 'Riez, parro-
quet, rieZ.' Laugh, parrot, laugh
yea, which was more wonderful, it
would presently add in the French
tongue, as if it had been endowed with
reason, but doubtless so taught: %
lie grand sot qui me fait rire!' 70
what a fool to make me laugh 4 and
was wont to repeat these words twice
or thrice.' This has sometimes been
adduced as proof of the great intel
llgence of parrots. It is evidently,
however, rather an illustration Of
memory and association of ideas,
which, along with other things, will
be found illustrated also III the follow
ing account communicated to us of a
parrot in London:
A blue macaw in Brook menagerle
initiated to perfection the snarling,
barking, and bowling Of dogs, and the
cackling and Growing Of fowls, and
would also astonish the visitors by it's
readiness in mimicking any peculiar
voice in the company. Dr.. Thornton
bought the bird for fifteen guineas; but
it moped, sickened, and seemed to
have lost all initiative power till it
was released from captivity and al.
lowed the range OF the house. Then
it speedily recovered health and re-
gained the beauty of it's plumage,
made itself perfectly at home, became
very loquacious, and played many
amusing tricks. It's sense of smelling
was very acute, and it was generally
the first to announce that dinner was
ready. Its mode of showing gratitude
or satisfaction was by half expanding
its wings with a gentle tremulous flut-
ter of the feathers, and uttering low
and not unpleasing note. If food was
protfered which it's instinct or caprice
rejected, it would take it with it's foot
and throw it down with an exclama-
ton which sounded like s:Therer'
Food that was to its liking was care
fully examined, tasted, and then con-
veyed to the birds own tin dish, in
which it was packed close by pressure
with the bill. If any of the children
fell or were hurt, Poll was the first to
give the alarm, and did not cease
clamoring till the cause was attended
to.
DIR. Thompson's son taught this par
rot to descend from its perch at
word of command, and to stand upon
his finger: then, on another order, it
turned back downward, and hung on
the finger by one foot, retaining its
hold, although swung about ever so
violently. Like many other parrots
and cockatoos, it was evidently vain
and very susceptible Of tlattery, and
was generally prompt in complying,
if asked, to extend its wings and show
their beauty. It would walk on the