The Alabaster Parakeet 

The insignia for the Order of the same name. The origin of the parakeet is one of the fundamental story in the shaping of the Order. The founder, R.M.M. Swigberry-Smythe II, is known to be descended from several families (the name Swigberry is an interesting story, but beyond the scope of this text). The most influential to the shaping of the Order is undoubtedly the Montagues, particularly Giambattista Montague. He was an eccentric Italian merchant/explorer in the 18th century who enjoyed collecting all manner of things from the countires he traveled to (his entire collection is thought to have been large enough to fill over half of the British Museum!) He also had several hundred acres of land, on which he kept all manner of animals, mostly birds. His favourite of all was a parakeet named Zipporah. Zipporah (or Old Zippy as he is known to Order members) was an extremly intelligent bird, who could perfrom all manner of tricks, even doing simple maths! When Zippy died age 68, Montague commissioned a statue of Zippy to be carved in alabaster as a centrepiece for his formal garden. Swigberry-Smythe was so moved my this story, he decided to create a group where eccentric upper-class like himself could meet and share interests, in memory of his ancestor and his beloved bird. And so, on September the 19th, 1915, he and 50 others from around the world met at his mansion in the first gathering of The Order of The Alabaster Parakeet. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Alabaster Parakeet by Thelonius Egbert Quagmire September 19, 2003

The Alabaster Parakeet 

this tiny impelament of a alabaster parakeet is though so fake we are not related to the develish of montougues (you have spelt it wrong)our traditonal dress is not to be rediculed it is of satisfactory ,the fez comes from our native land of morroco wher swigberrry (note the triple "r's" as a sign of morrocan heretige) smythe was born my uncle to so say.the founding was of course in 1912 at the beginning the fez tradittin nobel prize.

the wise words of alabaster"fla bledy bla morrocan moo bla bla do be do la la goldfish"

The Alabaster Parakeet by richard gertrude muhammed popadopelus October 11, 2003

The Alabaster Parakeet 

I remain TE Quagmire, the historian for the Order. Our entire history has been documented by trusted members, not charlatans such as yourself. My assistants and I are the only reputable source of information. Take heed!

The Alabaster Parakeet by Anonymous October 24, 2003

The Order of The Alabaster Parakeet 

A secret society, similar (but not related to) the Freemasons. Founded by Richmond M M Swigberry-Smythe II Esq in 1915, this society spread rom a select few English nobility to several different cultures across the world. The Order is now non-denominational, and promotes open-mindedness, practise of the arts, and the wearing of ridiculous clothes. The Order is known for wearing fez (one well-known former member is the famous British magician/comedian Tommy Cooper), one of its most prestigious awards is the Glass Fez of Swigberry Smythe.

The Order of The Alabaster Parakeet by Thelonius Groinberg September 16, 2003

The Order of The Alabaster Parakeet 

Secret society founded in 1915. Known for practise of the arts, and dismal taste in clothes. The fez of the society came t being after its founder, Archduke Swigberry-Smythe II spent several years living in Arab countries, where this item of headwear s commonly seen. The society was last numbered as having 67 different fez. Each one is typically marked with the insignia of office within the order, and the Parakeet of Montague in the centre. For example, the head treasurer's fez is marked with a platypus sitting on a bar of gold. The fez of the founder Archduke Swigberry-Smythe was marked with a snake, a bubble pipe and a crown. His formal fez was also encrusted with precious and semi-precious stones, including a large Morrocan sapphire. (This fez and seversal other items of the Order can be seen in The Hall of Antiquities in The Order Museum, located in the former home of Swigberry-Smythe.)

The Order of The Alabaster Parakeet by Thelonius Egbert Quagmire September 19, 2003