Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1911 — PARROT A DIPLOMATIC BIRD [ARTICLE]

PARROT A DIPLOMATIC BIRD

Feathered Pet of Belgian Crown Prince With American Minister In Three Capitals. Brussels. —There Is In the Laeken palace a Brasilian parrot which enjoys the rare distinction of having been a diplomatic bird in the American legation at Rio Janeiro, Lisbon and Brussels before finally becoming the royal pfet of Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium. It is a fine specimen of the Amaxon bird, with rich yellow and blue colorings, and was acquired by Charles Page Bryan during hla stay as American minister in Brazil. The bird was Mr. Bryan’s favorite pet and acoompanled him to Lisbon when he was promoted to that post, where it occupied the place of honor in the marble hallway of the Palais Fos, the sumptuous quarters of the American legation In that city. It had hardly been Installed in Brussels when Colonel Roosevelt paid this city a flying visit last April. A regimental band hired by the burgomaster to welcome the African hunter was playing in front of the legation, and the parrot, whose musical Instincts were suddenly awakened, insisted upon competing with the band, to the delight of the waiting crowd In the street The competition soon grew so fierce that the bird was relegated to a secluded spot in the sttlo before Colonel Roosevelt’s arrival, bat It figured prominently In all the papers the next day as among the ‘nobilities present at tbe reception. The bird's fame spread rapidly and reached Prince Leopold’s ears. When Minister Bryan heard of the young

prince’s interest in the bird he Immediately gave it to him. During the first few days it was treated aa an honored guest in King Albert’s study at L&eken, but it was so talkative and so frequently interrupted royal councils that it was removed to Prince Leopold’s playroom.