Dog and Parrot
Here is a true incident that befell last Friday as ever was. A most talkative and intelligent parrot in a country house has learnt to call the dog " Micky," and, more surprisingly perhaps, Micky responds to the call. Just before the family were going to bed on this notable Friday a loud " Micky, Micky, come " was heard, and it sounded so shrilly agitated that one of the family went into the hall to inspect, and at once saw two mice on the top of the parrot's cage. After a stealthy approach the cage was tilted over and the mice spilt on the ground. The waiting dog killed one, but when the other was seen escaping Pol resumed her urgent cries to the dog. Circumstances strongly suggest that the so-called parrot cry was no parrot cry, but a quite conscious and highly intellectual cry for help. However, it is now more than one's. place is worth—so scientific are our ornithologists—to suggest that any bird has any. reason in its make-up. For myself I prefer an older and delightful dictum (by a man of science) that birds could be much_ cleverer if they had to be.
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