Hi from Toulouse, France!  Don Teach asked, "What was a Zilotone?"

Zilotone is one of the most clever toys ever made.  Imagine a tin
soldier, who plays a bar chimes with a hammer.  He turns around on
himself, and kicks the bar according to the melody.  The melody is
memorized on a disc with two cams, one for the position, and one for
the strike.  The discs are interchangeable.

I look for those kind of toys -- I already own a similar clown drawer
who sketches Napoleon the 1st, Tsar Nicolas II, Gabriel Faure and so on.
Made in the beginning of the century.  If you want I can send you a
photo of both of them.

Philippe Crasse - Le Ludion¶
101506.2653@compuserve.com

 [ Could this cute instrument be considered a relative of the
 [ cam-controlled singing birds and the "Whistler"?   -- Robbie