St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

been winter, his evident longing would
have opened windows for him; pining
captive being too painful to afford any
pleasure.
But he soon became entirely content
ed, and, having satisfied himself of the
nature of glass, seldom looked out, I'M
less something of unusual interest at
tracted his attention: a noisy dispute in
the sparrow family, trouble among the
children of the next yard, or a snow
storm, which latter astonished and dis
turbed him greatly, at first.
The furniture then underwent ex-
animation. Every chair round, every
shelf, every table and book, every part
Of the bed, except the white spread, OF
which he always stood in awe, was
closely studied, and its practieability for
perching purposes decided upon. My
desk is an ever fresh source Of interest
since its contents and arrangements
vary. The top of a row of books across
the back is his regular promenade and
is carpeted for his use with a long strip
of paper. There he comes the first
thing in the morning, and peers over
the desk to see if I have anything for
him, or if any new object has arrived.
Here he gets his bit of apple or raisin;
here meal worms are sometimes to be
had; and here he can stand on one foot
and watch the movements of my pen,
which he does with great interest. Oc-
casionally he finds an open drawer, into
which he delights to so, and continue
his explorations among postagge-sta1nps
and bits of rubber, pencils and other
small things. which he throws out on
the floor, with always the possibility of
discovering what is still an enigma to
him, a rubber band to carry off for his
own use, as viii explain further on.
The walls and the furniture under
stood, he proceeded with his studies to
the objects on the table. Amechanical
toy interested him greatly. 1t moved
easily, and the wind Of his wing, alight-
ing near it the first time, joggied it lit
tie. He turned instantly, amazed to see
signs of life where he did not expect
them. For moment he stood crouched,
ready for fight if the thing should make
hostile demonstrations. Seeing it re-
main still. he touched it gently with his
bill. The toy moved, and he sprung
back. In moment it was still, and
he tried again; and he did not leave it
till he had fully exhausted its possibili-
ties in the way of motion.
AT another time he saw his bath-tub,
tin dish, standing upon a pitcher. He
alighted on the edge. 1t was so poised
that it shook and ratified. The bird
flew in panic to the top of a cornice,
his usual place of refuge, and closely
watched the pan while it Jared back
and forth several times. Apparently
seeing that it was a harmless motion.
he again flew down to the same spot;
and the rattle and shake did not drive
him away till he had seen if there was
still a drop of water left for him in the
bottom of the dish.
One day, in his travels about the
floor, he found a marble. 1t was too
large to take up in his mouth, so he
tried to stab it, as he does a grape.
The first peck he gave sent it rolling
off, and he hastily retreated to the cor
nice. When it stopped he returned and
tried it again. This time it sprang to-
ward him. He gave one great leap and
then, ashamed Of his fright, stood and
waited for it to be still. Again and
again he tried to pierce the marble, till
he was satisfied that it was not practi-
cable, when he abandoned it for ever.
THERE'S one mystery in the room
not yet penetrated, though it is a sub
ject Of the deepest longing: it is my
waste-basket; the contents are so varied
and so attractive. He will stand on the
edge. hop all around it, and view it
from every side; but it is SO deep and
narrow that he evidently does not dare
to venture further. Every day he goes
to the edge, and gazes sadly and ear
nestly, but is never satisfied.
This interest in my doings is always
intense, and at every fresh movement
he will come down to the corner nearest
me, if in his cage, or alight on the back
of my desk, if out, and peer at me with
closest attention. One thing that seems
to amaze and confound him is my ap-
pearance in different dress. s'What
sort of monster is this his
manner will say, (which can change its
feathers so rapidly and SO often p''
II / want him to go into his cage or
any part of the room, I need only go
there myself and put some little thing
there, or even appear to do so; and as
soon as Ileave he viii rush over to see
what / have done.
Next to his curiosity is his love of
teasing The subject furnishing oppor
tunity for q display of this quality is
cardinal grosbeak, which cannot be
coaxed to leave his cage. The latter is
the older resident and he did not re-
.ceive the cat-bird very cordially. In
fact. he grew cross from the day the
latter arrived, and snarled and scolded
every time he came near. The cat-bird
soon found out that his enemy never