The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-07

in the drollest way, head quite out OF
water and tail lying fiat on the bottom,
while he spattered vigorously with wings
and tail. When he stepped out, the bath
was over; he never returned for second
dip, but passed at once to favorite cor
ner of the window bar, and stood there
a most disconsolate looking object, shiv
ering with cold, with plumage complete
ly disheveled, but making not the least
effort to dry his plumage for several min
utss. If the sun shone, he INDUCED him
self in q summing, erecting the feathers OF
his chin till he looked as il he wore a
black mufflsr, opening his tail like fan,
spreading and crossing his wings over
the back. This attitude made COM
plete change in his looks, showing white
where black should be, and uice versd
This was the result of his peculiar color
ing. Next the skin all feathers we're the
common slate color, but outside OF that
each feather was black and white. On
the back the black was at the tip, and the
white between that and the slate color;
on the breast this order was reversed,
and the white at the tip. Thus when
wet the white and black were confused
and he resembled an object in patch
work. The rose-colored shield was
formed by the slightest possible tips Of
that color on the white ends, and it was
wonderful that they should arrange
themselves in an unbroken figure, with
q sharply defined outline, for each feath-
er must have laid in it's exact place to
secure the result.
The different ways in which birds
greet advancing night has long been a
subject of interestto me, some restless and
| nervous, others calm and few wild and
apparently frightened. In no one thing
is there more individuality OF action, and
in my room that winter were exhibited
every evening quite variety of methods
A brown thrush or thrssher on the ap
proach Of darkness became exceedingly
restless, flying about his cage, going
over, under and around his percbes
posturing in extraordinary ways, utter.
ing at every moment strange, harsh
breathing sound Two smaller thrushet
met the evening hour by huttering, gnd
a queer sort OF dance elsewhere de
scribed. Two orchard orioles saluted
the twilight by gymnastics on the roo
of the cage. Tie bluebirds made careful
and deliberate arrangements for q com
Portable night while the grosbeak diff
fered from all in simply huffing himself
out, and settling himself on the first
hint of dark, in the chosen corner whence
he scarcely moved, and as soon as OBJ
jects grew indistinct he laid his heaG
quietly in his feather pillow and stirred
no more. The brightest gaslight an hou'
later did not disturb him; if noise
wakened him he simply looked up to SET
what was the matter, but did not move
and soon turned back to his rest,wher
slight jerks of his wings, and fain
complaining sounds, told that he no
/ Slopt3 Oub LEctluOu.
The bearer of the rosy shield was {
persistent individual; having once taker
notion into his head nothing woulG
make him forget it or change his mind
| Fully settled IN his preference for GER
tain perch on the window, the coolest day
in winter, with the wind blowing gale
through the crack between the sashes
would not make him desert it. Driving
him away from The spot had not the
slightest effect on him. He returned the
moment he was left in peace. Thinking
that another cage was more convenient
for his use, nothing short of absolutely
shutting the door would keep him out Of
it. Nor did he forget about it either; il
the door was sccidently left open, after
being closed for weeks, he entered as
though he had been in every day.
This bird never showed any playful
ness of disposition; indeed he had toe
much dignity to do go. He never flew
around the room as though he liked tC
use his wings. although they we're per.
feet, and there was nothing to prevent il
he chose. Nor did he display curiosity
about his surroundings. The only things
he appeared to notice were the doings Of
the birds and people in the room, and
the moving panorama without, which
latter he always viewed with equapimity
although the sound of hand organ
aroused him to a sort of mild fury;
As spring advanced the beautiful gros
beak grew tuneful. and often added his
exquisite voice to the ripping music Of
the small thrnshes, and with little
stretch OF the Imagination as to its dura-
ton
thrilled from out his'carmine breast
His happy breast the livelong day.
The COsmopOLitOn.