STAGE

A Bird In Hand: Five parrots named Sam, Barney, Miggsie, Loreto and Sharkey flocked to London’s Mermaid Theatre Wednesday to audition for a Christmas production of “Treasure Island.” Despite owners’ claims that the parrots could talk, most of the birds perched on the leading actor’s shoulder, could manage only a series of outraged squawks or deposit droppings on his pirate costume. “It might be safer with a stuffed parrot,” said British television star Frank Windsor who will play the one-legged pirate Long John Silver. “But it would be a very boring show.”