Music: Psittacine Performer

The New York Times, conscientious as all get out in reporting more than its readers either desire or deserve, this week gave a whole column to the vocal attainments of an African grey parrot, including printed musical notes. The parrot, named Coco and thought to be 65 years old, performs nightly in the bar of a Long Island restaurant. In his repertory are a dozen tunes (from Aïda, Carmen, Peer Gynt, etc.), taught to him by the waiters, who are younger but better educated.

Coco, like many a musical amateur, forgets how the songs go after the first phrases. The tricky grace...

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