A Linguistic Parrot.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5, 4 August 1906, Page 15

A Linguistic Parrot.

Au American naval officer on the re-tired-list tells a story of the days when Admiral Dewey was a lieutenant undvi the command oi an eccentric captain. It appears that, about the time the vessel under the command of the caplain mentioned put into the harbour of Rio de Janeiro, the commander was considerably worried concerning the healtli of a pet parrot. Ik* had asked the ship’s physician to prescrilie. and the latter had expressed the opinion that all the bird netded was an opportunity to climb a tree, chew the bark thereof, and otherwise disport itself. So the captain summoned his steward, and ordered him to take the parrot ashore and to give it some exercise. In those days the captain’s steward was a most important personage —more so perhaps than he is now. This steward was a comical old darky, who had an absurd habit of aping the authoritative ways of his master, and the men of the vessel liked nothing better than to play him some trick; so when he now stepped to the port gangway to get into the liberty-boat, with the cage containing the bird, they saw their opportunity. There was a sea running in the harbour, making it difficult foi the boat to keep alongside, and just as the steward put out a foot toward th? gunwale they purposely eased her oil. with the result that the darky tumbled into the sea. Of course, he was pulled out in a minute, but the parrot and the cage went to the bottom. Naturally, the steward was much distressed. He dreaded punishment by the captain, who had said that he would hold the steward responsible for the safety of the bird. Having shore-leave for three days, he spent his time wandering about the city and figuring to himself how he would put in the balance of the voyage in the ship's brig on bread and water, double-ironed, and exposed to the derision of the crew. At length a happy thought came to him. Rio was full of parrots, and one parrot is much like another, especially green ones. He bought, for a trifling sum. a green bird with a yellow head, which seemed to him like the twin

brother of the one drowned. He was also lucky enough to find a cage resent - bling the lost one, and in it he took his precious purchase back to the ship. Oi course, the captain was delighted to see his pet again, and especially when he observed how much its plumage was improved, and how muth more spirited it was than before. Bui his astonishment may easily Ik* imagined when, being asked whether he would like a cracker, the wicked bird responded with a string of Portugese oaths. L’pon being fed. it further contributed to the amazement of the captain by expressing its satisfaction with a lot of •‘swear-words" in Spanish. At this juncture the captain fell that he must share his feelings with some one. Lieutenant Dewey, who had been walking the quarter-deck, was summone I to the cabin, and the parrot was persuaded to swear some more for his benefit. "Mr. Dewey.' exclaimed the command ing officer excitedly, "don't you think that is a most remarkable bird: Why. he has been ashore only three days, and in that lime he has picked up a thorough working knowledge of the Portugese and Spanish languages!”