Talking Birds . 
149 
CHAPTER VI. 
TALKING BIRDS. 
Certainly in the country Starlings may well 
be popular ; they really are so elegant, and they 
are such knowing birds. They do not do very 
well to keep indoors ; but either loose about a 
place, or in a spacious wicker cage, they learn to 
whistle and chatter almost as well as Parrots. 
Jackdaws too are very droll fellows. I have not 
myself possessed these “ talking birds,” but I have 
had the pleasure of being intimately acquainted 
with several individuals ; and where one is not 
ambitious of keeping the smaller song-birds, I do 
not wonder at the interest taken in these rogues. 
Those that I have known used generally to walk 
about on lawns, with an open cage at hand to which 
they could go for food ; but they get a good deal 
too by roguery, for they are shocking thieves. 
They also pick up a good deal in the way of insects 
upon a lawn, which makes them nearly independent, 
while at large, of other supplies. They are apt to 
lead the cats and dogs about a place sad lives ; but 
they are affectionate birds, especially the Jack- 
