212 HOMING WITH THE BIRDS 



flection nearer the bird's own than before. In- 

 stantly the shitepoke gave a cry and spreading its 

 wings flew to the road, where it followed three rods 

 in our direction before it realized that the call was 

 coming from the carriage. Since then I talk with 

 the shitepokes and call them across the valley 

 whenever I choose. 



There is nothing to prevent anyone from talking 

 with those birds whose tribal calls can be imitated 

 with the voice, and a throaty or half-whispered 

 nasal utterance. A commotion can always be 

 raised in the woods by hiding in a bird neighbour- 

 hood and uttering a series of judiciously spaced 

 and intoned screech owl calls. A large number 

 of birds will answer a call that can be made by 

 placing the lips on the back of the hand, and 

 producing a sharp, loud, indrawn, kissing sound 

 inflected like a chirp. A perfect brown thrasher 

 alarm cry results, and a very good crested fly- 

 catcher's. All thrushes are interested, and cat- 

 birds. Even the domestic canaries, hatched and 

 raised in the bird-house in my conservatory, will 

 answer and become much agitated over this call. 

 Slight practice is all that is required. 



Anyone who is an expert whistler can soon com- 

 bine vocal and whistled calls, so that he can depend 

 on a reply from almost any bird he attempts to 

 imitate. The instant he receives a response, comes 

 the feeling that the bird is his, and a closer tie 

 than ever before existed is established. This 



