Smart

Via Obsidian Wings, a snippet regarding what scientific work with an intelligent subject like the recently-deceased African Grey Parrot, Alex, could be like:

My favorite story about Alex comes from The Alex Studies, p. 147. Alex had been asked to identify the color and material of various objects, and apparently he got bored. (Who can blame him?) Here's what happened:

"In each of two additional trials (one on color, one on material), however, he did not respond correctly on the second try. He produced instead each of the wrong possible answers from the appropriate category, repeated each wrong answer, then grabbed the tray liner and tossed all the objects to the floor."

Rest in peace, Alex.