Ornithological and Other Oddities 



It is a most wonderful mocker, and can imitate 

 any animal. I have heard one sing exactly like 

 a canary, which performance, as the bhimraj is 

 nearly as big as a magpie, sounded ridiculous 

 enough. 



Another yelped exactly like a puppy, and kept 

 up the imitation years after it had had no oppor- 

 tunity of practising, as the puppy's life was short. 

 This same individual could also whistle one verse 

 of " Tit- willow " perfectly. 



With all these accomplishments, the bhimraj 

 very rarely talks ; but I heard of a perfect talker 

 from an eminent scientific friend in India. He 

 had called on a planter when up-country, and 

 found he was not in. 



Sitting down in the verandah, he was hailed 

 with the remark, " Have a peg, old man ? " but as 

 no one appeared who could have offered this 

 refreshment, he looked about and convinced him- 

 self that the hospitable invitation came from a pet 

 bhimraj. He afterwards found that this was not 

 the limit of the bird's capabilities, and that one 

 favourite remark was, " How about my bonus ? " 



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