Steampunk waterworks

 Birds made to sing, and be silent alternately by flowing Water

The villa d'Este (constructed 1550-1580s') had at least one waterwork inspired by Hero's Pneumatica.

From the sound of it, the bird sang while the owl was turned away. While the owl turns away, the birds do play!

Hero is considered by some to be the inventor of the steam engine, perhaps in the 4th century A.D.

Gonna have to try this at home.

References

• Water, air and fire at work in Hero’s machines    
• Make Magazine article “A Tour of Hero’s Pneumatica”
• The Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria, from the Original Greek 
• Some references here with broken links