Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-05-06
A D.rWinian Diversion.

pie tail-feathers, and small well shaped
comb, like u cocks, upon his head.
This was sta2gerer-a pigeon with u
cocks comb! The peaks of color in
feathers might be accounted for, but
the comb! No, it was impossible; the
" colnmtm" were 100 widely distinct
from the :" eallirT." questioned the
lad. He declared it was true, aud that
he had seen the bird often; he calcu.
lated he knew pigeon, and he knew
sleek bird, with knowing look, and
not bit skeery.
II this is true. thought |, | will knock
the naturalists endwise. A pigeon
with comb! must have that bird. l
will give him TO Mr.. Thornbury as a
subject for lecture. He will go back
of Darwin, even. / Will write to Oar
win myself. 1t will be favorable
opportunity to get an autograph letter;
for, of course, the great man will
acknowledge my service i'll the cause OF
science.
"Joe," said I, if you catch that
bird in trap-alive mean, and with
out injury will give you ten dol
lars"
The boys face frightened with a
keen intelligence, and he said, " I'll
try"
1 visited Mr. Thornbury, and gave
him the news. Our discussion was
animated aud long, but it need not be
reproduced here.
l had stipulated with Joe that, in
case. he should catch the bird, ne should
take the trap direct to my friend s
house.
Meanwhile the pigeon had been seen
ny many persons, aud it was noised
about in the grocery and provision stores
of the South Fad that his phenomenal
ornaments had excited great interest
among savants. Joe had, moreover,
expatiated upon his expected reward,
and had promised to take his "girl" to
the theater on the strength of it.
When ct length Joe made the cap
ture, and started off with the prize in
the grocer's wagon. he was followed by
curious crowd. got the word aud
started also. BY the time 1 arrived
there were dozen persons in the front
yard. Joe had already alighted with
the box. and had taken it indoors.
Mr.. Tooke Thornbury, in his best
blue coat, and with eyes that cleaned
behind his huge glasses, stood waiting
for the trap to he opened.
There the pigeon was, as bright a
creature as ever was seen. with purple
tail, scarlet tipped wings, and u coral
comb. The bird ran about the room
without fear, but did not choose to be
| handled
Mr.. Thornburys emotion was ex-
treme. "Shades of Hunter and Button,
of Owen, Agassiz and Aristotle!" he
calculated. Am | too to be one of
you known to after-times as one OF the
great co.ordipates in science? The
COLUMBIA thornburyi" shall mark a
new era in classification. Now we will
see if the director of the Stubbs Insti
tute, who has refused to invite me to
lecture, will delay longer the acknowl-
edgment of my talents"
Meanwhile the lively bird kept hop
ping about. gracefully eludipg capture.
Mr.. Thorhburyiwas unconscious Of the
gradually increasing audience, as he
talked and meditated by turns. The
entry and doorway were filed with
eagerly curious folk.
There was a slight rustic, then a
voice, and quick footstep. A buxom
aud saucy girl about twelve years of
age in a short dress, and wearing long
braids Of yellow hair, rushed in, say
ing, in a tone that Was like scolding
and crying at once. -" declare it's too
bad! Billy, pretty Billy, comet
She held out her hand, and the bird
rose on his wings and alighted on her
finger. There! there!' she said,
soothingly; Pretty Billy, kiss mel
The bird put his bill to the full red
lips, and gave an audible COO of de-
light.
"No,c, Joe Saunders" she said, turn
ing to the grocer's boy, lyon see if you
don't catch It'll My pa says there's law
against setting traps for birds in the
city. YES, poor Billy!' she said, Ca
ressing the bird again, they were going
to cut you up" (giving u spiteful glance
at Mr. Thornbury)," but they shant-
they shan't.'
My feelings went through as many
phases as the colors of dying dolphin
There was pathetic as we'll as comic
side to the scene. The face of MIR.
Thornbury was study for a picture of
vacuity. He was at his wits end.
ventured to calm the girls wrath by
aimiring her pet. Those are very
unusual colors," I said, pointing to the
purple and scarlet tips.
"Oh, I did that" said the girl, gayly.
"Papa's carmine ink on the wing
feathers, and violet on the tail feathers
Aren't they pretty Kiss me, Bllly!'
But his extraordinary comb!
gasped Mr.. Thornbury.
Here the girl laughed outright, while
her merry eyes shone and her fresh
color came.
Pretty nice, isn't it? I cut it out
of red felt. See the nice smooth ridges
Just like real comb! It's stuck well
hasn't it? Fish-glue doesn't soak of
Nice Billyw
And the pretty fiend handled the
archaeological monster up and down
while lie chung to his perch on her I'm
ger, and Low and then tilttered his
mine.tinted wings and spread his
violet tail.
Say goodbye to the gentlemen,
said the girl, mischievously; and away
she went.
There was not much TO be said (from
scientific point of view, and | was IL