Mechanical Singing Bird, 1890-1910

Automated, mechanical devices like this provided cheerful bird-like songs in the parlors of many well-to-do American homes around the turn of the 20th century. Unlike live pet birds, this caged, feather-covered papier mache bird sings when its key-wound clockwork mechanism is activated. Turning gears operate small bellows and a slide whistle or flute to mimic a bird's warble.