The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-08-07
SPEECH OF PARROTS.
Do These Birds Understand what
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
cliued to say YES 50 striking has
been the fitness of the birds remarks:
ut 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 cx-
clamatiouS fits In happily with the con
versItion or circumstances ~ the uin.
meut. Some few Instances ~ such -.
medicines for every one NJ which !
can ,oucm may interest your circle q,
readers Some years We were present.
ed with a young green parrot The
bird must have been only few
months old. ns she gave no sign of her
red tail. This. however quickly ap-
peared, and Polly soon gave evidences
that she was listening 20 sounds sad
learning to reproduce them. We now
began to give her talking lessons by
continually repeating over and over
again set words or phrases and We're
soon repaid for our pains Polly began
10 talk and quickly mastered good
many ~ her lessons. she added a
good many self acquired accomplish.
mCnts, such as cab calls milSmcn's
and paper boys cries and the caw!lc
Of rocks Her piercing whistle would
often cause the mllkman 10 stop aud
| look around. thinking the call was
| for him. Polly also learned to imlilte
| 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 dresSmakcr wa~
ushered into the dining room and was
startled by the bird exclaiming: "Hel
! 10, What's your name? What do YOU
wantF' Sic surprised lady vlsito.
/ on one occasion with the rather un-
usual Inquiry. Are YOU uice;" About
this time was suffering from n very
! painful complaint. aud II would al
most seem as II my suffering drew
out the birds sympathy. for on one oc-
caslon she said to me: Hello. What's
the matter with you? Are you quite
wcllf" replied. NO, not quite well.
| Polly" whetcupon she replied. "Not
| quite we'll" She was once in the room
where member Of the family was
prac;lCing singing and presently made
the remark. emphasizing the last word.
whats the matter with YOU" When
signs Of going out for 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 beenF" 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.
lngs" was phrase Polly found great
difficulty In mastering. Count your
bless" being all she succeeded Ia utter
Ing ana soon dropping this as too trou-
blesome. However. after a time we
tried her again. Now she drops out
the bless" and solcmnly eXhorts us 10
Count your. count yOur-sins." \ few
weeks ago II servant was engaged In
polishing brasswork near rolly'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
and much more. Eliciting no reply,
she shouted out. "Why don't you talk
and drew the retort from the woman.
Because | am too busy, Polly Polly
replied, "Iiow shocking"-lI. Damn in
London Spectator.