The Indiana State sentinel., 1888-07-04
A Bird That is Almost Human Owned by
n Physician.
New York Journal1

A Bird That is Almost Human Owned by
Physician.
New York Journal.1
81 am the dandy polly. Ask DR.. Stew
ems, he knows" ss.'e -
These words came from lively Brazil
ian parrot, with glaring red tail, to re-
porter who had journeyed many miles to
see a bird Celebrated all over the country.
The parrot belongs to DR.. Thomas Stevens,
a well-known practitioner of Trenton,
who believes he has the most remarkable
bird in this country.
For several years the actions and say
ings of this parrot have been jotted down
in the physicians diary, and with this in
hand to refresh his memory, he told of the
birds wonderful intelligence and COM
mand of language.
'The parrots memory, power of imitat-
ing sounds and OF articulating words are
good" said DR.. Stevens yesterday with
Polly in hearing "With it all am salts
fed that it possesses a superior degree of
intelligence. There are no words that she
cannot be taught TO articulate and scarcely
any sound which she cannot initiate"
''Take your base, DOCTOR" Clipped in
Polly, twisting her red tail bit.
''She can initiate the barking of a dog,
the mewing OF a cat, the Growing of a
rooster and the whistling of any bird or
boy. She has even got some of the car
whistles down fine, and as mimic she
has no equal. Her imitation of the voices
OF people who come here is remarkable.
She carries the accent and infection well,
and | am sorry to say, she keeps me on a
steady trot sometimes. She has learned
every infection of Mrs. Stevens voice and
/ often mistake her calls for those of my
wife"
"Play ball, doctor; play ball. was an
other ejaculation by Miss Polly, who had
jumped from her perch on the mantel.
CAS- ventriloquist she is by no means
poor. She can reproduce distant sound
Just as it falls on ones ear. The hooting
of an owl, the barking of dog in the dis
tance and the squealing OF a pig are well
done. This, however, is only secondary.
Her most distinct claim is her power to
learn words and utter sentences. She
mimics the familiar salutation of the milk
man and the grocer's boy, and has even
been known to hold an intelligent discus
sion with the bakers man. She never
fails to say Good morning. and good
bye, when you go out"
Watch your base, doctor, go Slow"
came from the bird.
"She can sing very well-cant you
dear?"
"For am going to marry Yum-Yum," I"
was distinctly sung. The words were
plain, but the tune was trihe off. She
sang two lines and then switched off to
the familiar air "Over the Garden Wall, F"
and closed the concert with the plaintive
old air, "Pretty Polly Hopkins, How Do
You Do' The latter was exceedingly
clever. Later or she was induced TO
sing "Pop Goes the Weasel" The two
verses she had learned contained just
forty-two words and she carried the tune
correctly.
eyes" continued the doctor, "she can
express her wants very nicely. She often
asks for cup of coffee, or will say, Polly
wants drink and when water or coffee
is given to her she drinks with much
relish, revealing a genuine thirst"
doctor, you can make a home run," "
chimed in the bird.
"She frequently sits at the table on her
perch at meal-time. When the servants
begin TO set the table and she hears the
dishes rattle she will begin to scream,
Doctor, come to dinnerP 1 often pre-
tend not to hear her. Then she will
show symptoms of vexation and snap
pishly say, Doctor come to dinner. Do
you want your dinner? Polly's hungry