Another simple rocking or pendulum toy is the counterbalanced parrot or cockatoo cutout illustrated in A of Figure 2.7. For a "jiffy" or "quickie" toy it can be cut from heavy cardboard and counterweigh ted at the tip of its tail with a short, heavy screw or bolt, so that it will rock on a table edge.

A more enduring, three-dimensional toy will result when the body is jig-sawed from material 1/4 to 1/2 in. thick, with 1/4-in. wings glued on both sides to provide additional thickness. If the bird is to rock on a table top which has a deep overhang or no apron, the claws can be cut out in the form of a circle, as indicated, and be well sanded. Metal washers or other small weights can be hung over the round tailpiece on a thread loop to determine the proper counterweight. This can then be approximated by other hardware, such as a pair of light washers, one on either side of the tail, which are bolted or, better yet, riveted together through a hole; or one or more washers held in place by the proper number of tacks through their center openings; or large headed tarpaper tacks driven in from both sides with a drop of solder added to their heads if required. The bright colors indicated will please youngsters, whose fingers should be protected by blunting down the sharp outer edges of the bird's comb.

Fig. 2.7. Counterweighted Polly.

Inasmuch as few tables will provide an unobstructed undersurface for Polly's rhythmical noddings, a special perch similar to the one sketched in B will prove more satisfactory in the long run. As indicated, the 3-in. by 6-in. base is cut from stock which is at least 3/4 in. thick, with the 1/2-in. uprights lapped into the center for strength. The perch proper can be a length of stout wire, a skewer, popsicle stick, or a dowel. If Polly is to be permanently anchored to her perch, a hole can be bored through her balled-up claws through which the perch is inserted before the uprights are nailed into position. It is probable, however, that the small owner of this gently rocking pet will be better satisfied if a round notch is cut in the bottom of the claws to fit loosely over the perch, so that the toy can be removed at will.

The principle of the counterweigh ted pendulum can be successfully applied to a variety of silhouettes or dimensional figures, provided that the weight is accurately measured and placed. For instance, a doll or a dancing cutout figure can be equipped with a circular, bow-like piece of wire clothes hanger inserted in a front leg, in such a manner that the wire will curve over and under the table top and apron, permitting it to terminate in a lead weight directly below the figure. This is the old principle of the "floating hammer," with the hammer head beneath the table top, and its handle held in a loose loop of string at an acute angle to a ruler, stick, or case knife which has only an inch or two resting upon the top of the table. The trick is to be sure that the stiff wire is from one and one-half to two times as long as the figure is high, and that the weight is ample. This is easy to determine by hanging washers on the end of the wire, then equaling their combined weight with a melted lead ball.