A GERMAN-SPEAKING PARROT.
[To TIIE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:] SIE,—In reading Mr. Tollemache's letter on "A Conservative Parrot" in the Spectator of July 8th, I was reminded of the ease of a linguistic parrot that recently came to my attention. A German, whom we may call Mr. A, had placed his parrot in a bird-shop for sale, but Mrs. B, an American, discovered the bird and claimed that it had been stolen from her. She brought suit against Mr. A, who refused to surrender his pet without a consideration. Now, ' Polly ' had formerly talked English, but during her residence in Mr. A's family, she discarded that language for the more guttural German, and could not be persuaded to speak a word of English. When
the question of ownership came up in Court, Mrs. B addressed the bird with the usual "'Polly,' want a cracker ? " Her advances were, however, repulsed with cold indifference. Mr. A then approached the cage, opened the door, and uttered a few words in German, when the parrot hopped upon his finger, kissed him several times, and poured forth the most beautiful German sounds. That settled it; the Magistrate gave the bird to its rightful owner.—I am, Sir,
CHARLES BUNDY WILSON.
The University of Iowa, Iowa City.
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