BIRD ACTORS AND THEATRES 229 



phone, the flow of water, the sound of the dumb- 

 waiter, and a number of bird calls he had heard 

 when he was very young. Later he learned to imi- 

 tate the call of a puppy; besides he will talk in- 

 definitely, and he seems to know just how to show 

 his appreciation of kindness by waving his head 

 from side to side, and by playing, like a child, when 

 noticed. Strangely enough he has never screamed 

 and cried since the day he went to live at his won- 

 derful new home, and his new coat of bluish-green 

 plumage is strikingly beautiful. I fear, however, 

 that a part of his sweet temper is due to the extra 

 care and good food he receives where he is! 



Perhaps the best actors of the bird world are 

 found among the gallinaceous family. They have 

 the most modern and extravagant ideas of married 

 life ; and divorce with them is very common. 



The capercailzie are really the grand opera per- 

 formers of the bird family, and seem to think it 

 necessary to go through with an entire opera in 

 order to win a mate. Their play is a strange and 

 interesting combination of a love-dance, love-song, 

 and a demonstration of tender passions, all at the 

 same time ! It may be likened to a motion-picture 

 play with notes and music to accompany every part 

 of it. Hunters are familiar with these actors and 

 their plays, and not infrequently follow the birds 



