The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-16
By Mile. Futile.

TT has been a liberal education to
 train my eight parrots.
 Two years ago I, like most of mankind. looked upon the green birds with the red eyes and enormous beaks as slow. stupid, stubborn creatures, jokes in the bird kingdom. But when reverses came to me and, flung suddenly upon my own re- sources, I was advised to give draw ing-room entertainments with my piano, aided by my parrots, I began to train my neglected pets, my own education began.
 While I sought to educate my par rots they educated me I discovered that instead of being slow they are thoughtful. Instead of being stub born they are deliberate. They do not refuse to obey your commands. But while you are studying them they are studying you. Parrots are not governed by instinct, but by req son. They think things out They are the greatest character students in the animal kingdom.
 parrot has as large brain as mans in proportion to his size, and he uses it as we'll
 Despite his actions and appearance to the contrary, the parrot is ex- ceedingly sensitive. It is this trait which has given rise to his bad repu- fo fny. ln ell stupidity and stubbornness. Some one orders parrot to do some thing The parrot looks at him and thinks it over. It is characteristic of the wise person that he thinks before he speaks. It is characteristic also of this wisest of birds.
 Scientists who have called on me to study my methods with my par rots have been amazed that I have never used the stick. have an swered: Fine human beings do not need the goad. If a fine animal is beaten he is ruined. I have trained I. 7 birds by patience, affection, ap- preciation. Impatience, harshness, carelessness would ruin them, make of them criminal birds. I depend en- tirely upon these characteristics shown in the voice.
 The parrot reads man or woman by the voice. That accounts for the fancies taken by parrots to certain human beings, They read unerring- ly character as revealed in the voice. Next to the voice they are sensitive to colors.
 Parrots have a strong dramatic in- stinct. OPolly, after watching a big policeman stroll past our window every day for a week. began of hel own accord to initiate him. Like any other actress, she first studied her part. became letter perfect. She struts, pounds the floor with club and marches vaingloriously in per feet time to the air We Won't Go Home Until Morning"
 Caruso is great musician. No parrot has ever equalled his talent in this respect Like the man for whom he Is named, he is peerless He sings in three keys, high soprano, contralto and baritone, then med ley of the three. He sings in any of these distinct keys ''The Star Span gled Banner and improvises airs that are really musical. I developed s|@A o0O HUH Wnat W60 I C60A 0CU aS hopeless, squawky parrot. There is no need of any one having squawky parrot. That he squawks is the fault of his owners Uatiently train him out of his bad habits, as you would a child. In the case of both child and parrot spare the rod
 Paderewski could entertain an au- dience for two hours himself. Seated before little white and gold baby grand piano, decorated with electric lights, he plays almost any popular air you demand and accompanies Ca ruso's solos. Besides the plano he plays the horn and drum. He gives excellent limitations of animals. He whistles popular airs and delights in initiating the police whistle that regulates traffic at Times Square in New York. He can spell his own name and is an expert at gun drill.
 My octette of birds have good haE- ::s. With one exception. Polly thinks he must have . cup of strong coffee morning and night. expect by pa fence to break the habit, fer birds
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