It barfs on these ones, but not like you predict (it's actually worse). "The 2nd colour in purple, belly, yellow, arm, white and blue"[3] gives back yellow, though, so it's not that stupid.

[1] http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=The+2nd+fruit+in+bear+a...

[2] http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=7th+digit+in+abc123def4...

[3] http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=The+2nd+colour+in+purpl...