Victoria History

This letter was in the Times Colonist. It really made me smile!

Parrot took role of intercom, cellphone
Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, September 09, 2007

When I was growing up in Victoria in the 1920s and 1930s, there was a stream that ran along the north side of View Street behind where London Drugs is now.

There were several small homes on that side of the street and most of them had little bridges or catwalks to their front doors.

The family that lived directly across from my dad's business, the Pacific Auto Wrecking Company, had a parrot whose favourite perch was on their bridge railing.

This was before intercoms or cellphones, so when Dad wanted one of his employees, he would whistle -- a special whistle for each chap. The parrot soon learned these and would mimic those whistles at any time of day.

You can imagine the frustration on my dad's and his employees' part as they would go tearing out to find it was only the parrot!

I am sure the parrot learned a few more colourful words as a consequence.

Rubymay Parrott,

Victoria.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007

Wed, October 3, 2007 - 12:24 PM