BIRDS THAT TALK AND MIMIC 



As one of the judges at the Daily Express parrot 

 competition, 1 I had an opportunity of noting, not 

 by any means for the first time, the extraordinary 

 public interest in talking birds, and also the 

 capriciousness of the familiar grey parrots, which, 

 although known to be the best talkers, require 

 patience in those who want to hear them speak 

 in company. 



Other parrots of less repute are often less shy, 

 and sometimes speak as well, though undoubtedly 

 intellectual ability is far more general among the 

 grey birds. 



I remember, many years ago, seeing at a bird 

 show at Oxford a specimen of the common green 

 ring-necked parrakeet of India, which continually 

 talked during the exhibition. 



Its voice was high and thin ; but its request, 

 " Waiter, bring Polly pint of beer, quick ! quick ! 

 quick ! " was unmistakeable in its clearness. This 



1 The birds in this competition were supposed to say " Your food 

 will cost you more " (in allusion of course to " Protection" and the 

 little loaf). One of the birds, a brown-throated conure {Conurus 

 ceruginosus) would repeat sentences after its master, but not the 

 catch-phrase, actually laughing instead ! The winner was a grey 

 parrot. 



no 



