Malkins are also known as scarecrows or effigies. These are usually made to resemble humans and are used to scare away birds or other animals that may harm crops. In some cultures, malkins are believed to ward off evil spirits, and are placed outside homes or in fields. Other synonyms for malkins include dummies, mannequins, or puppets. These terms refer to objects that resemble humans in various ways, and are used for a variety of purposes such as display, advertising, or as toys. Whether malkins or other human-like objects, they have been used throughout history for different functions and beliefs, cultural and individual.