MIMICS AMONG BIRDS 213 



screams are loud, then they grow weaker and 

 weaker until they finally die away in the distance 

 by low sighing and groaning. 



Not least among our mimics are the pinnated 

 grouse, whose howls precisely imitate those of the 

 prairie wolf. In South America we find the toro- 

 pisju, one of the umbrella birds, who brays like a 

 trumpeter — ^hence its name; the red tunqui grunts 

 like a wild pig; while the macaw screams like a 

 crying monkey; and parrots chatter in imitation of 

 every imaginable sound. 



The most noticeable thing about most of these 

 mimics is their individuality; even those of the same 

 family differ as greatly as the members of a human 

 family. One of my mocking-birds, David, is affec- 

 tionate and is even on friendly terms with my bull- 

 finch and redbirds, and at times will play with 

 them for hours over a piece of string or a pebble. 

 But Jonathan is proud and haughty, refusing to 

 recognise my entire bird family, with the exception 

 of his friend David. They are inseparable compan- 

 ions and often romp and play until they are so ex- 

 hausted that they cannot fly. 



Jonathan's house is his castle and he seems per- 

 fectly satisfied to remain in it at aU times, provided 

 no other bird disturbs him, while David is a sociable 

 creature. He delights in paying calls to the other 



