The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-13
CATBIRD'S FRIENDLINESS.


pines when / first heard his call, but /
paid little attention. The panorama OF the
Deerheld Valley was spread out before
me. and. I'm no mood FOR interruption,
was dreamlly looking out over the blue
hills and listening TO the splashing OF the
tiny river Still, when his repeated. In
sistent calls forced themselves on my no
tice and compelled me to turn my head,
was repaid for the effort My visitor was
a large sleek catbird. with a singularly
intelligent eye. lie sat upon one of the
lower branches OF a fir tree close by, tee
'ering up and down, and repeating at fire.
quent intervals that loud. crowlike
cav" which had disturbed me.
The moment he caught my eye he fair
ly quivered with delight. He teetered
more rapidly than ever, switching his tail
I'm an ecstacy of excitement. and address
ing me so directly that / could not pre-
tend not TO understand. From his harsh
notes / suspected his remarks were un-
complimentary possibly he was accusing
me OF trespassing on his preserves, and
assuring me l ought TO be prosecuted TO
the fullest extent of the law; but l was
too comfortable to move. SO | smiled i'm a
propitiatory manner, moved my ham,
twig. and answered his call with as close
an imitation as / could. At this his excite
ment redoubled. He sprang q a branch
nearer me and repeated his squawk loud
er than ever. swaying up and down as he
did so, and gestulating with his tail in
impassioned oratorical bird fashion.
Amused at his vehemence, threw my
self into the dialogue. replying TO his ev-
cry note, at first with one as near like it
as could manage, then varying my re-
plies to his questiC rs and CALCULATIONS
with tones more plaintive and long
drawn-out.
Our conversation went on briskly for a
time: he hoped nearer and nearer, until
Il scarcely ventured TO breathe-he sud
denly sprang on the hammocks edge. and
stood king down at me with his head
on on ie and a distinctly inquiring look
i'm his moving eye. He was so near that
could have touched him with my hand.
but knew the fa-nily tradition Of caution
in which he had been reared, and / lay
motionless.
After n moments scrutiny he spoke
again, in a tone OF greater friendliness;
again / replied as well as l knew how,
now again he paused to contemplate me-
Suddenly he gave his tail quick jerk
and was gone. l lay smiling 10 myself
wondering what we had been saying to
each other and congratulating myself on
my ability 10 converse in a foreign
tongue: that was certainly something. but
regretted that / was unable 10 enter
more intelllgently into the conversation.
The pines were so quiet that ] could
hear the river once more Then that loud
"Cawr made itself heard. in curiously
muffled tones. AS | turned 10 look for, an
explanation the bird flew directly TO the
hammock alighting without prelimina-
ries, and closer 10 me than before. In his
bill he held a large white moth, and this
he seemed Offering To me. He ierked his
tail this way and that. and spoke as well
as he could with his mouth full. l knew
what ne meant-he was Offering me his
choice morsel. With the tact of a gentle
man he had OWNED that quirming
worm or wrigeling beetle would be re-
lulsive to one unaccustomed to a bird
liet but surely this dainty white moth
vas a tidbit suited TO the palate of the
most fastidious. He learned forward to-
ward me- evidently puzzled by my delay
n accepting his hospitality.
He spoke to me, and that courteously,
lrging me not 10 hesitate since there
were more TO be had where this came
rom I should not be robbing him. | tried
10 answer in tones like his own. / wished
20 assure him that / desired to accept his
gift in the spirit in which 1t was offered
out was ignorant of the etiquette of the
occasion. Should / stretch out my hand
for the morsel or would the action be
misunderstood? Should l open my mouth
to receive IT, or would that be considered
bad form I'm a human being, seeming to
reflect on bird manners? His eye. though
eminently friendly, was also wary, and
false move on my part would mean in
stant flight.
While l hestated he hoped nearer STILL
close to my shoulder now; he was evident
ly trying to encourage me. a pause, then
he spoke again. pleasantly still; yet with
"A note Of rising indignation Clearly his
patience with my stupidity was becoming
exhausted How unresponsive ! was prov
ing myself to his courtesy l replied in
deprecatory tones once more. cudgelling
my brains for the solution OF the prob
lem he offered. Possibly he misunder-
stood me. or perhaps he was offended by
my delay. for suddenly, with an indig-
nant nirt OF his tail and a look OF
naughty Indignation. he was gone. He
threw a parting glance over his shoulder.
however. and give a final squawk, which
said so plainly that my face flushed with
shame: "Very well, III you don't want IT,.
you needn't have IL. but you are as rude
as rude can be, and you won't get a
chance like this again in hurry, l can
ell ,,o,, And then he diSappear red