120-YEAR-OLD PARROT.

Shannon News, 14 April 1927, Page 1

120-YEAR-OLD PARROT.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF 1801. STILL TALKING HARD. A parrot, believed to be more than 120. years o 1 cl, is at present living in i house in Philbeach Gardens. S.W., London. This bird, tho ugh devoid of leathers on its bn.ust and back, still lias line red tail feathers and a mass of grey feathers on its wings. All day long, despite his reputed age, he talks, swings on a rope, and plays with a ball. Col. W. B. Ferris, its owner, told a Daily Mail reporter something of its story. He said: I have known Peter, my parrot, for 55 years, and he was just as bald in 1872 as he is now. He was in India at the time, the property of the Maharajah of Kolhapur, and was then known lo be of great age. The Maharajah told me he was originally the tribal mascot of the Rajah of Satara. In 1801 a British soldier captured him after a battle between the English and the Rajah, but he was returned later. In 18-14 he was handed to the Maharajah of Kolhapur, who gave him to me. Peter was then know T n for hundreds of miles round as the “Maharajah Parrot.” Since 1908 Peter has been in. England with me and all the children round know him. When I was Governor of Aden. Peter nearly caused an “international .incident.’ ’ A Russian admiral called on me, and when I entered the room I saw he was annoyed. “Has that bird been taught to insult foreigners?” he asked. “No,”' l-replied. ‘-‘Well.” he added, “when. I came into the room I said, ‘Good morning, Pretty Polly,' and the bird replied, ‘You infernal bounder.” It took me some time to pacify the admiral. - ■ *