Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-08-14
SPEECH OF PARROTS.
10 These Birds Understand What

1C FtSSC StaEEeStiSSCSkeAIiQ31 WHEN
They Talk About7 #s6ss
Those of us who possess talking par
rots are often asked the question, DO
you think they really understand what
they say y Sometimes / have been in
clined to say 6 Yes, so striking has
been the fitness OF the birds remarks;
at other times, "No.' When bird has
been carefully taught or has, learned
from his own observation consider
able number of set phrases and sen
fences, there are certain to arise occa-
sions when one or another Of his ex-
carnations fits in happily with the con-
versation or circumstances of the mo-
| ment. Some few instances of such CO.
medicines for every one of which I
can vouch) may interest your circle of
readers. Some years we were present
ed with a young green parrot. The
bird must have been only few
months old, as she gave no sign Eof her
red tail. This, however, quickly APP
peared, and Polly soon gave evidences
that she was listening to sounds and
learning to reproduce them. We now
began to give her talking lessons by
continually repeating over and over
again set words or phrases and were
soon repaid for our pains. Polly began
to talk and quickly mastered a good
many of her lessons. She added a
good many self acquired accomplish
ments. such as cab calls, milkmen's
and paper boys cries and the cawing
of rocks. Her piercing whistle would
often cause the milkman to stop and
look around, thinking the call was
for him. Polly also learned to initiate
the song OF the canary. She would
look up at her little yellow mate in her
cage above and call her Sweet, sweet,
pretty little Dick; pretty little Dick
On one occasion the dressmaker was
ushered into the dining room and was
startled by the bird exclaiming: ssHel-
10! What's your name? What do you
want?" She surprised a lady visitor
on one occasion with the rather I'M
usual inquiry, "Are you nice?'' About
this timegI was suffering from a very
painful complaint, and it would al
most seem as IL my suffering drew
out the birds sympathy, for on one oc-
casion she said to me: Hello! What's
the matter with you? Are you quite
well?" replied, "No, not quite well,
Polly" whereupon she replied, "Not
quite we'll" She was once In the room
where a member Of the family was
practicing singing and presently made
the remark, emphasizing the last word,
whats the matter with your" When
signs of going out for walk are ap-
| parent we are invariably and repeated
" hidden tGoodby, goodby," with the
accompaniment of many kisses. Upon
our return Polly inquiries, where have
you been!" and upon being informed
usually replies, "Gfad to see you back -
During last winter my wife was one
morning putting up an old stove for
! Polly's benefit near her cage. On the
half landing the bird watched her with
great interest and presently said, "Do
you feel cold p Count your bless:
ings" was o phrase Polly found great
| difficulty in mastering, Count your
bless" being all she succeeded in utter
ing and soon dropping this as too trou-
blesome. However, after time we
tried her again. Now she drops out
the 'bless" and solemnly exhorts us to
"Count your, count your sins" A few
| weeks ago servant was engaged in
polishing brasswork near Polly's cage,
! and the bird Immediately started talk.
| ing to her. Hello, Polly! What dc
you want? What's the matter with
you? Are you quite well? Do you
feel cold? Where have you been?'
and much more. Eliciting no reply
she shouted out, "Why don't you talk p
and drew the retort from the woman
Because l am too busy, Polly" Polly
replied, "How shockingr'--H Damn In
London Spectator.