BIRD ACTORS AND THEATRES 229 



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

 waite]^, 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 

 pltmiage 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, aU 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 



