I had not heard of that idea but no reason why it would not be included in the mix. I suppose anyone could come up with that idea, even as an afterthought but why would they not instead import the Hill Myna that is far better known for this behaviour. There were many ideas that contributed to the phenomenon of introducing fauna around the world in the 1830s, such as that god had made errors in the distribution of fauna that needed to be rectified. Also does not quite fit with that several of our own parrots are pretty good as talking pets. Would that have been known then? I had resisted the urge to change this to Buddy the talking hawk, I think sadly, to be, swan. Philip —–Original Message—– From: Birding-Aus [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@birding-aus.org] On Behalf Of Laurie Knight Sent: Sunday, 19 January 2014 4:15 PM To: Carl Clifford Cc: birding-aus@birding-aus.org Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Buddy the talking Sgtarling Wasn’t mimicry one of the reasons that Common Mynas were brought into Australia (as pets)? Regards, Laurie. On 19/01/2014, at 11:03 AM, Carl Clifford wrote: > Common Hill Mynas are pretty good at mimicking human speech as well. > > Carl Clifford > >> On 19 Jan 2014, at 10:44, “Tony Russell” <pratincole08@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> Yes, it’s absolutely amazing, and I presume the lady has a KIWI >> accent – one >> of the strongest I’ve ever heard ! >> >> T. >> >> —–Original Message—– >> From: Birding-Aus [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@birding-aus.org] On >> Behalf Of >> Jude Latt >> Sent: Saturday, 18 January 2014 7:02 PM >> To: l.knight@optusnet.com.au; birding-aus@birding-aus.org >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Buddy the talking Sgtarling >> >> >> How amazing is that. >> Here I was thinking only the Cockatoos/budgies etc. talked. >> >> >> —–Original Message—– >> From: Laurie Knight <l.knight@optusnet.com.au> >> To: birding-aus <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> >> Sent: Wed, Jan 15, 2014 7:17 am >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Buddy the talking Sgtarling >> >> >> G’day >> >> Keith Stockwell has asked me to forward the following item >> >> http://www.3news.co.nz/Buddy-the-talking-starling/tabid/817/articleID >> /320910 >> /Default.aspx#.Uo-u78QwrRc >> >> >> Regards, Laurie. _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Geoffrey Chaucer perpetuated the cruel myth (in Maunciple’s Tale, written in 1390) that if a Jackdaw’s tongue was split at the tip with a silver sixpence ground to a knife edge, then it would talk better. As a young child I remember reading a novel (can’t remember which one, but it may have been an Enid Blyton novel) in which a Gypsy family in the English countryside had a pet Common Mynah whose tongue had been split to enable it to talk. Reference to this myth in classic English literature has, unfortunately, led to some people believing it to be true (as I discovered during a brief search of the internet this morning). Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
This thread has reminded me about this article I read recently about the use of digital track pads in NZ to identify animals that walk across them in real time, and potentially administer a poison: http://ensia.com/articles/building-a-better-rat-trap/ I wonder if birds like Common Mynas could be accurately identified by their foot prints. Peter Shute Sent from my iPad _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org