The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-04-29
An African Parrots Var ed and Curl.
GUS Accomplishments.

RAISING along SlXCn Avenue. the 9th
er day, q crowd was seen gathered
around the door of bird fancier's store
near Twentv-fourth street. They were
listening to the notes of contralto-like
voice singing "We sail the ocean blue, ~
from I" Pinafore." Upon entering the
store the singer was found to be an
African gray parrot, which the proprie-
tor, Mr.. 6. H. Holden, had named
"Ned." The bird had no sooner fin
ished the song than he asked, in a
clear, distinct voice, almost human,
Hello, boss! How are you? what 8
o'clock?''
The accent was purely an English
one, and led the reporter to make a
few inquiries about the bird. 1t is a
pure specimen of the Senegal parrot.
Its body is ashen gray, with black bill,
white face and scarlet tail. They are
only found on the west coast of Africa
and in the forests of the Cape of Good
Hope. "Ned," continued Mr.. Holden,
"was taken from his nest in Goree
when quite young, and was brought to
this country by a sailor on a trading
vessel. l gave the bird to profession
al trainer, who had him two years and
a half training him to talk"
"Then these birds can be taught any
thing?''
Anything the human voice can do. :"
How are they taughtr'
"It is a labor of years, love and pa
tience. After they have become do
mesticated they can be taught almost
anything. They go to sleep at the set
ting and awake at the rising of the sun.
After they 90 to rest is the best time for
repeating to them such words as are in
tended to learn, because they then ex-
perience no distraction. They are all
susceptible of education, but the young
are more so than the old. The means
employed consist in imposing certain
punishments upon them, such as i'm
mersing them in cold water, of which
they are greatly afraid, or putting at
them with tobacco smoke. Often they
are tempted by rewards, such as pieces
of sugar and nuts, when they perform
what is desired"
Here Ned, who had been watching
the movements of his master, hung by
one foot from the ceiling of his cage,
and called out, Eyes, that's so! Whoa,
Emmar'
1.-THE imitation continued Mr..
Holden, "is nothing but an organic
mimicry, depending certainly on the
conformation of the voice, and proba-
bly, on some peculiar aptitude of the
ear. The ears have the power of deli
cately approaching sounds; but then this
capacity of articulating words is not
exclusively confined to the parrot.
Jays, blackbirds and magpies can imi.
tate human speech more or less from
organic facility rather than the pos.
session of any superior intelligence"
Ned by this time had got upon his
perch, and was RECALLING himself with
sTommy, make room for your aunty.'
"This gray parrot" Mr.. Holden went
on, sis the least conspicuous for Its
brilliancy and variety Of plumage, but
on the other hand, it is remarkable for
its d0cility and mimicry, and its clear
and distinct articulation. In these par
ticulars this species surpasses the rest
of its congeners, and on this account has
always been held in high esteem by bird
fanciers."
"How much might these birds cost
now?''
"Young birds cost from $40 to $15;
takers from $50 to $50, and extra
fine takers and singers from $50 to
800. Ned is q very rare specimen and
cost 1925. The sum of $3.50 was paid
by man named OKelly for parrot in
Bristol. England, and it is SAID it not
only uttered what is termed every
thing but to have sung with clearness
and CORE ctness. q variety of tunes,
and beat time as he sang. If he mis-
took note in tune he returned to the
bar and corrected himself, still beating
the time. and would even sing any tune
desired. fully understanding the request
made"
"CaA you give me q list Of the &C.
quirements of Ned?''
"He can whistle, We sail the ocean
blue The Conspirators' Chorus from
Mime. Angot;' Tommy, make room
for your aunty.' Whip poor-will,' and
whistle perfect semblance of the En-
glish blackbird. He also initiates the
cooling of dove, the new of cat, the
barking of dog, . rooster, hen, the
drawing of acork, an Indian yell. sneeze
like person. and laugh and cry."-N
7. Star.