WHEN walking in Hong Kong Park or in the grounds of Hong Kong University be sure to carry an umbrella. We have consulted several of the many guides to the territory's bird-life and all concur that these are the main population centres of the two major parrot species, the Rose Ringed Parakeet and the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.
Normally, we would not advise greater caution when walking under a parrot than under any other ornithological specimen of similar size. But the Governor has warned, and From the Corridors has taken note.
'I don't think there are any lame ducks in Hong Kong,' Chris Patten told the press this week, 'but there are certainly a few sick parrots.' If City University wants an example for its research project into how Mr Patten's use of language affects his message, it need look no further. Who among the local reporters hanging on to his every word might possibly have understood this little gem of football-club jargon? (As in 'I'm as sick as a parrot we lost that match.') We imagine Mr Patten will be as happy as a lark when he discovers half the Hong Kong press has been off on a wild goose chase checking out his veterinary tip-off.
WE imagined wrong. Immediately after writing the above, we learned the Governor was stopped in mid-quack at another function yesterday when an enthusiastic reporter rushed up to him and demanded he identify all the sick parrots in question.
ONE man who was certainly as sick as a parrot this week was The Standard reporter Neil Colclough, who was sent to New Zealand with the rest of the media to accompany Warwick Reid back to his soon-to-be-sold family home in Taraunga.
The press-pack had all booked Marco Polo Class seats to be where Reid was travelling in undeserved style - only to find they had been bumped up to First Class to keep them out of the balding ex-convict's remaining hair.