This game provokes laughter from the most solemn individual. The
company should be seated in a ring. The one in command enters the ring
and makes much ceremony in giving each player the name of a bird;
which may be, for example, heron, kingfisher, bluebird, cat-bird,
wood-thrush. When each have been named, the commander then whispers
something to every person. What he whispers is a motion or sound or
both, which he wishes the person to give. When everybody has received
their cue, the commander steps to the centre of the ring and calls,
“One, two, three.” The moment “Three” is spoken, each of the company
rise, and running round the circle of empty chairs, flap their arms in
imitation of wings, sing or call as they have been directed. The heron
should make a motion as though trying to get little fish out of holes
in the bottom of a pond, or he should stand on one leg and appear to
be asleep. The kingfisher should brush up his hair, making it rough on
the top, and then act as if diving for minnows. The bluebird should
warble a sweet song. The cat-bird should appear full of fun and make
melodious notes, but he should also add the complaining _mee-aa_; for
the cat-bird is sometimes a wonderful songster, but after nesting gives
a sound that is decidedly cat-like. The wood-thrush should sing a most
tender melody, and the more melancholy the better. Hawks, wood-peckers,
chickadees, parrots, screech-owls, ducks, geese and many other birds
might be added. The greater variety introduced the better.