The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-08-22
SPEECH OF PARROTS.
% These Birds Understand What
They Talk About

They Talk About
Those of us who possess talking par
rots are often asked the question, do
you think they really understand what
they sayT' Sometimes have been In
clined 10 say YES" so striking has
been the fitness Of the birds remarks;
ut other times, mo" When bird has
been carefully taught or has learned
from his own observation a 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.
jncidences flor every one OF which
can vouch) may interest your circle Of
readers. Some years we were present
ed with young green parrot. The
bird must have been only a few
months old. as she gave no sign Of 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 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
lock 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: Hell
10! What's your name? What do you
wantT' She surprised a lady visitor
on one occasion with the rather uu-
usual inquiry, Are you nice?" About
this time 1 was suffering from a very
painful complaint, and it would al
most seem as if my suffering drew
out the birds sympathy, for on one oc-
casion she said to me: Hello! What's
the matter with your Are you quite
wellT' 1 replied, mo, not quite well,
Polly" whsreupon she replied, mot
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,
What's the matter with your When
signs of going out for q walk are ap-
parent we are invariably and repeated
ly hidden "Goodby, goodby," with the
accompaniment of many kisses. Upon
our return Polly inquiries, Where have
you beenT' and upon being informed
usually replies, Glad 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 coldT' Count your bless
ings" was a 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 a 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 a servant was engaged in
polishing brasswOrk near Polly's cage,
and the bird Immediately started talk
ing to her. Hello, Polly! What do
you want? What's the matter with
you? Are you quite well? DO you
feel cold? Where have you been p
and much more. Eliciting no reply,
she shouted out, why don't you talk p
and drew the retort from the woman.
Because am too busy, Polly" Polly
replied, How shocking!'-H. Damn In
London Spectator.