“Ok Mark,” the lady said as she turned him to face the birds, “say hi to them.”

 

“Hello,” Mark replied and at once, a Hawk in the front row of birds called back.

 

“Hawk, noble,” noted the lady with a smile, “very good Mark. You can join your parents now.” Immediately, the little boy ran over to his father who picked him up and promptly left the room. Retrieving her list, the lady moved on to the next name, Bowen, Felicia. A Bird of Paradise answered her and she left with her family of rather flamboyantly dressed dancers. Next was Cooper, Timothy. A little Swallow replied his greeting and he was proclaimed a farmer together with the rest of his family.