He has two gifts: for cooking, and an uncanny ability to imitate voices (usually inaccurately described as ventriloquism in the stories). This talent was developed in the early Magnet stories, commencing with Magnet No. 32 "The Greyfriars Ventriloquist" (1908). In a series of stories in which Bunter unsuccessfully attempts, in turn, a physical exercise regime, hypnotism, and mind reading, a visiting ventriloquism show inspires Bunter to believe that he is a born ventriloquist. ""More like a born idiot"" comments Bob Cherry – but Bunter perseveres and eventually masters the art. It is a talent unappreciated by his schoolfellows, since he generally uses it to make mischief, or, opportunistically, to get himself out of trouble.