Birds on the Brain Read online

  ‘ome pigeons have bands for identification. Who did you buy her from?’ Con asked the little man sternly.

  ‘I ... er ... we didn’t.’

  ‘Then she isn’t yours to sell.’

  ‘My friends found her. They fed her. They looked after her.’

  ‘Who are ‘they”?’

  ‘Bill and his partner Sam. They’re photographers.’

  ‘How did they get the bird?’ asked Con sternly.

  ‘I don’t know. They just told me to sell it as one of a pair, ’said the little man unhappily. ‘If I’d known there would be such a fuss, I would have said no.’

  Art interrupted.’I think I know what happened.’

  ‘What?’ asked Con.

  ‘Sam was taking outside photos for the advertising agency. They were doing an advertisement to go into a magazine. They hired a lot of animals and birds. All actors.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Mario.

  ‘Was it a pet food advertisement?’ asked India.

  Art nodded. ‘But when they packed up, there was an extra one. This bird. No one else wanted to look after it. So Sam took it home overnight.’

  Then Art explained what had happened to Serena on the day after the training flight.

  After Mr. Snip-pets released her, she started to fly home.

  Up to about three kilometers from home, birds can remember the area. Beyond that, they sometimes forget. Serena saw other birds eating food on the ground. She must have been hungry so she flew down and joined them. These birds were hired from Animal Actors ,a company which supplied animals for TV commercials and advertisements. When the person who looked after the pets packed them up to go home, she found there was an extra bird.

  ‘Serena,’ suggested India.

  ‘Right,’ agreed Art.

  The animal and bird keeper was in a hurry, and so when Sam offered to look after the extra bird, she let him.

  Sam took Serena back to the studio.

  ‘That’s where I saw the clues,’ explained Art. ‘Bird droppings. On the floor and on the phone.’

  ‘How did they happen?’

  ‘Well, she’d just been fed. And just for fun, he took a few shots of her inside. Sam likes unusual shots. Part of his business is to take fantasy photos.’

  ‘What are they?’ asked India.

  ‘Photographs of people doing things they’ve always wished for. He used Serena in a few photographs.’

  ‘What happened then?’

  Because she made a mess in the studio, he couldn’t keep her there. Bill, his partner, said the bird had to go. Bill heard about the bird market form his friend. So the friend brought Serena here. ‘

  ‘But she didn’t belong to him.’

  ‘Bill didn’t worry about that. But Sam did. He felt guilty. His share of the photo business isn’t going too well because he takes too long to set up shots. So he owes Bill a lot. He couldn’t complain.’

  ‘Why did he tell you all this?’ India was curious.

  ‘Because I found another clue.’ Art couldn’t stop smiling. When the bits fitted together, it was great being a sleuth. Mario, India, Con and the little man stood in a semi-circle,listening. Behind them were the birdy noises and smells of the market. A goose hissed loudly.

  ‘What was the clue?’

  ‘There was a photo of a fantail pigeon on his wall. The photo had just been developed. He had dates on his work. So I knew it had been done in the last couple of days.’

  Con’s muscles bulged as he smoothed the feathers on the fantail pigeon. Serena cooed.

  ‘Perhaps I’ll take care of this bird,’ said Con. “It can stay with me until Monday. Then I’ll contact your Mr. Snip-pets.’

  ‘Do what you like,’ said the little man. ‘Been more trouble than it’s worth. You can have the pair if you like too, except the other one’s a blind racer. Another mate was trying to get rid of him. Didn’t want others breeding from him.’ He scuttled away.

  ‘Er ... excuse me Con. Serena had to go to a wedding. This afternoon!’ Art explained how important it was for Mr. Snip-pet’s business that Serena went to the wedding.

  Con agreed.

  Then Mario interrupted. ‘I’ll take Serena to Mr. Snip-pet’s now if you like. It’s on my way home now.’

  Serena cooed again.

  India glanced at her watch.’Oh no! We’re late for Disobedience Class. Come on, Tiny. Let’s run!’

  ‘Where is Serena? Where is Serena?’ the voice sounded like Mr. Snip-pets.

  Mario turned quickly.

  The sulphur -crested cockatoo screeched again. Then the white bird flapped its wings.

  ‘Where is Serena?’

  ‘Here,’ said Mario firmly. ‘I’ve brought Serena with me.’

  ‘What?’ Mr. Snip-pets came quickly from the back of the shop. He was dressed up in dark suit with a rainbow bow- tie. ‘I was just getting ready for the wedding.’

  ‘I ... er ... we found her,’ said Mario. ‘At the poultry and pet market.’

  ‘Serena,’ Mr.Snip-pets took the bird tenderly. Serena cooed.’What a clever bird to find your way home. Let’s tidy you up. The cage is ready with the bows and ribbons. Somehow I knew you’d be back on time.’

  Mario felt left out. After all, he’d discovered Serena. With a little bit of help from Art. And then there was his cousin Con. He’d helped too.

  But Mr. Snip-pets was too busy grooming his crested feather foot fantail pigeon to fly at the wedding.

  Chapter 14

  Wedding Bird

  Outside the church, neighbours were waiting. Some held confetti. Some held rose petals. Others held rice to throw.

  ‘What’s the rice for?’ asked Art.

  ‘Same thing as confetti, but it doesn’t leave marks on the bride’s dress. And the cleaners don’t have to sweep it up afterwards.’ India knew lots of unusual facts.

  ‘Don’t they sweep up the rice?’

  ‘No. Birds eat the left-over rice.’

  Mario smiled. ‘What if Mr.Snip-pets’ doves eat the rice now? Then they might drop on the bride! Then she’d want her money back.’

  ‘Does it cost a lot to hire doves to release at the weddings?’ asked Art. He hadn’t thought about that before.

  ‘$350,’said Mario quickly. ‘And the birds don’t even get pocket money.’

  ‘Haven’t seen many birds with pockets.’

  Even Mario smiled at that. ‘They should be paid ... rewarded.’

  ‘Oh Mario!’ said Art and India together. ‘They were well fed and cared for. Anyway it takes ages to train them. You’re always thinking about money.’

  That was true. Mario was still thinking about the reward money.

  Mr. Snip-pets had said he would pay Mario after the wedding. Art didn’t know about that. After the bird market, Art had to run home because his dad was due back from a long trip.

  Two old- fashioned cars with white ribbons in a V across the bonnets waited outside.

  Organ music started.

  The bride was coming out! She wore a long veil. Her new husband held her arm. They stopped in the doorway of the church.

  The photographer’s flash went.

  ‘Isn’t she beautiful!’ said Mrs Next-Door, throwing rice.

  Art looked closely. The bride was Melanie, Kylie’s big sister. But you couldn’t tell under all that make-up.Her veil blew across her face .When she lifted her hand to the veil, the sun glinted on a very big diamond engagement ring. It had spikes of gold. The bridesmaids followed the bride.

  ‘Aren’t they beautiful,’ said Mrs Next-Door.

  ‘Kylie’s not beautiful, ‘said Mario. “Not when she’s beating me at basketball.’

  “She is today. She’s one of the bridesmaids.’

  There were several bridesmaids. Kylie wore green. One wore
blue. One wore lilac. Another wore lemon. And one wore a reddish-orange colour.

  ‘I hope the birds match,’ whispered India.

  Art looked at the groomsmen in their black suits and white shirts.’ They look like penguins. Especially Kylie’s brother.’

  ‘Not them. The doves.’

  Outside the church, the photographer fussed. He kept changing the lenses on his cameras. He put the wedding party into groups. The bridesmaids were arranged like a rainbow around the bride and groom. The parents were in the picture too. Guests fussed around, taking their own photos.

  Mr.Snip-pets, dressed in his best dark suit, had the doves ready. They waited on a perch. Each pair matched one colour of the rainbow. Serena was on the top. She looked very soft and white.

  ‘Why don’t they fly away?’ Mrs. Next-Door threw the last of her rice.

  ‘They’ve been trained,’ said Mr.Snip-pets proudly.’They do what they are told.’

  Art wondered if Serena understood all that. He looked at her.

  Did birds smile? Or was it just her beak moving?

  The photographer was ready. He nodded to Mr. Snip-pets.

  Serena was placed gently in the bride’s hands. Her tail fanned out. Serena cooed. The bride smiled and clipped the bracelet around her arm to hold the bride in place.

  But the photographer was still worried.

  Then Mr. Snip-pets released the birds.

  A yellow dove flew near Kylie. A lilac dove flew near the yellow dress of the other bridesmaid.

  Are the doves colour- blind?’ asked Mario.

  ‘They don’t know they have changed colour,’ Art watched carefully.

  ‘Got a problem there,’said India. ‘The doves are trained to fly up. But since Mr. Snip-pets dyed them all colours,they won’t know which bridemaid’s dress to match.’

  The wedding party laughed. They liked the rainbow doves flying around. So didi the photographer. Flashes from cameras. More confetti. While he kept shooting, Mr Snip-pets smiled proudly.

  ‘Hey, Art,’ whispered Mario.’ Just had an idea.’

  ‘What will it cost me? replied Art.

  ‘Nothing. D’you think that if the lilac –dyed bird drops on the bride, it will be lilac bird mess? ‘

  India overheard.

  ‘No,’ she said sounding like an expert.

  Art looked at her.’ Could you invent a bird toilet?’

  ‘Not necessary,’ said India. ‘There’s an island somewhere that’s all bird droppings. Can’t remember where I read that.’

  ‘But if you did invent a bird toilet, what would you call it?’

  ‘Bullseye, ’ said India quickly. They all laughed.

  The birds had flown back to the shop. The wedding guests were getting into their cars. The bride and groom had left for their reception. Mr.Snip-pets was packing up. He put the bird crate back into the van. He was nearly finished. Only the white cage and perch were left to pack.

  Art examined Serena’s white cage. There were white ribbons on the side.

  ‘Excuse me, Mr.Snip-pets. Could I ask you something about Serena’s cage?’

  ‘Of course. Didn’t Serena look beautiful in the wedding photos?’

  ‘Yes. Well, I guess so. I haven’t seen them yet.’Art was still thinking about the cage.’Was Serena in the cage last weekend?’

  Mr.Snip-pets had to think.

  ‘Wait a minute. Serena was in the white cage on Monday morning. While I was cleaning up the big aviary. That’s where I keep her most of the time. Melanie, the bride-to-be ,came in to check on the details. She wanted to hold Serena for a practice. I let her open the cage.’

  ‘Ah!,’ said Art. ‘Was she wearing her engagement ring?’

  ‘I suppose so. I didn’t notice.’

  ‘It was a very big scratchy ring,’ Art smiled. ‘That’s where the scratches came from.’

  Art liked to solve all his mysteries.

  ‘By the way,’ Mr.Snip-pets reached for his wallet.’ I have a little reward for you. Serena is important to me. I’d like you to become my Snip-pets sleuth. If any of my birds or animals go missing, I’ll call you. And thank you for finding her. Your friend Mario said he did it, but I think it was you. Sop share this three ways.’

  Art thought he might add ‘bird detective’ after his name. Once he could spell it.

  Chapter 15

  Dog Toilet

  On Monday, Mario arrived at school early. Art was already watering the plants for Mrs. T. He was plant monitor this week. ‘Got a present for you, India.’

  Marui gave her a small package wrapped in blue fancy paper.

  ‘Thanks Mars Bar. What’s this for? It isn’t my birthday.’

  Carefully India unwrapped the paper. She stared at the tiny, see-through package. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Read the label,’ suggested Mario trying not to laugh.

  ‘Anti-snoring nose plug!’

  ‘So you won’t snore at the school camp next term.’

  ‘Thanks a lot! Where did you get this?’

  ‘At the chemist. It was on special. Usually cost $30 .Must be lots of snorers around.’

  A few weeks later, things had settled down.

  One morning, Mrs. Tasker came into the classroom with a big smile on her face.

  ‘Congratulations India,’ said Mrs. Tasker.

  ‘What for?’ India looked up from her book.

  ‘This letter is about the Earthworm Environmental Award. This year it is given for studies of domestic garbage and recycling. You’ve won it.’

  ‘But I didn’t enter,’ India was puzzled. ‘How could I win if I didn’t have an entry?’

  ‘Was it for her dog toilet?’ asked Mario.

  ‘It has a fancier name,’ said Mrs. Tasker. ‘But, yes.’

  Art looked up. ‘I did it. I just took a photocopy of your science assignment.’

  That way he didn’t have to write anything. And India’s name was already on the sheet.

  ‘Thanks Art. That was terrific of you,’ India was really pleased.

  He hoped she’d remember that the next time he needed something read. ‘You owe me a couple of dollars for the photocopies.’