142 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



habit. It no longer is coupled with the idea of 

 food. The bird now repeats words freely. Its 

 shrill screeches have been replaced by other 

 sounds. It becomes talkative. 



Parrots, however, are not the only birds that 

 can be taught to imitate human speech. The 

 hiU minas of southern Asia and the East Indies 

 are equally proficient in the art. These birds, 

 although hardly larger than a thrush, will talk 

 in an extraordinarily strong rich voice, and their 

 enunciation is more perfect than that of the gen- 

 eral run of parrots. They are wonderful sing- 

 ers, loquacious imitators of other birds, and al- 

 together are valuable additions to the aviary. 



Crows, jackdaws, and magpies are also talkers 

 of more or less distinction. While they never 

 attain the proficiency of parrots, they can say a 

 few words. 'Gifted magpies have been taught to 

 repeat sentences of considerable length. 



3 

 Birds That Give Warning of Danger 



There are certain types of birds which have 

 been utilized by man to warn him of the ap- 

 proach of danger. Among these is the guinea- 

 fowl, which might well be said to take the place 

 of a watch-dog. When disturbed it awakens the 

 neighborhood with a series of piercing, grating 

 calls which jar unpleasantly on the ear and will 



