Evening star., 1902-08-15
GUARDIAN ANIMALS
SERVE THEIR MASTERS AS sHop-
KEEPERS IN LONDON.
magpies, Parrots, Dogs and Monkeys
Show Intelligence and Fidelity
in Their Work.
From T'lt-Bits

From T1t-Bfts.
ANY one passing along a certain side
street In Birmingham not so very long apo
might have been witness to the rather fun
ny sight Of full-grown man dashing ont
or dingy chemists shop pursued by an
! angry magpie. which was venting its wrath
In loud screams, much Tapping of wings
and by viciously pecking for all IL was
worth at the fast-retreating head. As coon
as the man had placed yard or so between
himself and the shop door. however. the
magple quickly few to the ground and
hoped back to the shop In evident high
gee at the success of its enterprise. An in
quiry at the chemists ELECTED the informa-
ton that Mag" was simply performing
what 1t took to be Its duty. The bird, il
seems, Is usually Gagged. but has been cute
enough, more than once, to release the hash
OF It's prison door In its masters absence,
ana 10 make tour OF the bottles ETC.
forming the stock In trade.
The entrance of a customer however al
ways calls forth "Mag's" anger whether
Gagged or otherwise. and on this occa sion.
oeing quite free, 1t demonstrated its feel
lngs to such an extent that the Innocent
stranger thought 1t best to hastily retire.
A Watchful Parrot.
This is not the only case of a bird acting
In the capacity OF shopkeeper There is in
Reading most intelligent parrot which is
and has been taught to call out Here YOU
are! to every customer who leaves the
place The only drawback is that Polly
when In Festive mood, occasionally draws
the attention OF customers to the paydesk
upon their arrival as well as their de-
parture but, SO far. the diners have not
yielded to his soft enticings to pay twice.
Polly, however. takes things In a very
philosophical manner. and is quite content
that his work Is accomplished when he has
uttered the three magic words at the top
OF his voice.
Dogs on Duty.
In London there are several instances Of
dogs acting as shopkeepers in their mas
ter's absence. At certain ironmonger's
shop on one Of the city thoroughfares, the
proprietor thinks nothing of going across
the road for five or ten minutes to have
chat with a friend. 1t was during one
of these five minutes that our informa-
ton regarding his dog was drawn forth.
The retriever. Ii seems. has learnt his busl-
ness very well. III is quite simple. He
Just prevents anyone removing anything
from tie shop in his masters absence.
Many time has the ironmonger gone
back to find people detained by his pet,
who would not even allow them to take
away their own property. A man has
come in with basket. laid 1t on the coun-
ter, waited a minute or so. and-no one
appea ring-has prepared to leave. But
Carl would have none of It,
He would allow him, OF course 10 go
away, but not with the basket, and his
attitude is threatening that few have
ever cared to try conclusions with the ex-
celent set of teeth which he reveals 10
good purpose when growing The ron
monger and his dog are. needless say,
almost inseparable. and several large Of
fers of money have failed to induce the
man to part company with his chum.
An Alert Monkey.
But perhaps the most interesting os ami
mel Shn5krrNe-s IN the whole OF London
is Jacl5o. the monkey of Tottenham Court
road. His particular business Is to mini
the trunks and portmanteaus placed inside
the premises Of Mr.. T. Con. When we
visited Jaclo his days work was oone and
he was peacefully reclining a sofa in
the back parior with sman dog-his gar
ticuiar .lchaas--for pillow. Jacko as only
two years oid bIt he has learnt many
ihiags g. his short career One of them
Is -ths poilfz gf trust nobody so -aat
any ilcNlrs. l:..isrldssl attempting to touch
a trIIni5 whils n Is 6ity as shopkeepe-
has 2 fses tso feet sos'ethlnF Of acl've
iEdigna F1