92 THE HUMAN SIDE OF BIRDS 



however, like the starling, blue- jay, and sedge 

 warbler, seem to carefully follow the vocalisation 

 of other birds only for the purpose of exact 

 mimicry. The mocking-bird, skylark, thrush, and 

 robin are all capable of marvellous mimetric repro- 

 ductions in their singing, a habit which imparts to 

 their performances a richness and variety of ex- 

 pression that is second only to our own imitative 

 type of music. 



In captivity a bird seems to increase its powers 

 of mimicry. This may be due to the fact that there 

 is less to attract its attention, and mimicry becomes 

 a pleasant way to while away the hours ; or it may be 

 only man's delusion, since only in captivity can we 

 observe birds for long periods of time and at every 

 hour of the day. The talent of mimicry varies in 

 individuals and species just as the production of 

 song itself is not constant even in a single family 

 of birds. 



This fact is well demonstrated in the case of 

 canaries. In one nest eight young canaries were 

 raised from two parent birds, and no two of the 

 offspring were similar in markings, habits, or dis- 

 position; and in powers of song and mimicry each 

 had his own style and taste. One mingled to- 

 gether parts of his father's song with notes from 

 the mocking-bird nearby ; another chose to borrow 



