For more than ten years, a law suit has hung over the plumed head of Nelson, a parrot who has lived in a chemist's in the town of Langen, near Frankfurt for over 30 years. But now, Nelson is free as a bird after the highest administrative court in Hessen decided the drawn-out case in his favour.

Most customers of the Spitzweg chemist's in Langen have replied to Nelson's friendly sqwarks of "good morning" since he took up residence in the shop in 1973. But some had their feathers ruffled by the impressive bird, complaining that Nelson's presence was a health risk, quoting health regulations that he should be sealed in a glass cage with a vacuum pump providing his air.

Gabor Perl, Nelson's owner, was not impressed and demanded more evidence that the chemist's avian friend could in some way prove a contaminative risk to customers and products. No evidence was forthcoming but the case went on…and on.

Nelson's cage is a six-sided abode with glass surrounding half of it. Protestors complained that this was not enough but the authorities eventually thought otherwise. The ruling now says that Nelson can remain in the cage as long as it is turned in such a way that the open side only provides access to those customers who want to feed him and pet him. "With this, the customers who come into the shop can communicate with the bird," explained court speaker Harald Pabst.

The majority of Nelson's view into the shop is now from behind glass, as stipulated in the regulations.