17 AUGUST 2002, Page 59

Q. I felt I had to write following your advice

to 'East Lothian' about parrots (3 August). Years ago I visited Richard, a friend of mine, at his home. He kept me waiting in the hall with his parrot and, to amuse myself, I tried to teach the bird to say, 'Silly old Richard! Silly old Richard!' Later, when I asked his wife if the parrot could talk, she replied, 'Yes. indeed. And he imitates the voice of whoever taught him.' I beat a hasty retreat_ B.E.F., Shrivenham, Wiltshire A. Thank you for your reminder of the good old days of harmless teasing.