SINGING MICE. 



103 



night — and the other was known as " The Chirper." To " make assur- 

 ance doubly sure " that they would fulfill their engagement, and not 

 disappoint me, their supper had been withheld from them on the even- 

 ing previous to my visit. 



True to time, just as the clock struck eight, and while we were con- 

 versing, there came from a corner of the fireplace, " Chirp, chirp, 

 chirp," the same note being repeated several times at the rate of about 

 thrice in a second, and gradually becoming louder. Presently a slight 

 movement was visible about one end of the fender ; and, after some 

 hesitation, a little brown mouse came out upon the carpet, leisurely 

 sniffed about for its accustomed meal, came close to my chair, looked 

 wistfully up to my face, and I was introduced to " The Chirper." As a 

 critic, I am bound to say that " The Chirper's " performance was of sec- 

 ond-rate quality ; but it was merely a kind of levee de rideau, and the 

 principal artist was yet to appear. 



We had not to wait long. At the conclusion of " The Chirper's " 

 ineflfective solo, a prolonged trill was faintly heard from behind the 

 scenes, followed by others, each more audible than its predecessor ; and 

 ultimately " Nicodemus," the soprano, came forth before the audience, 

 perfectly self-possessed, and showing no signs of " stage-fear." 



The song to which the little creature gave utterance again and 

 again in our full view was as sweet and varied as the warbling of any 

 bird. It most resembled that of the canary, but the melody of the 

 nightingale was occasionally introduced. Every note was clear and 

 distinct, but withal so soft, so gentle, tender, and pianissimo, that I 

 can only compare it to the voice of a bird muffled by being heard 

 through a down pillow. In the room was a canary, whose cage was 

 suspended in one of the windows. He had settled himself to roost, and 

 his head was under his wing, but at the sound of " Nicodemus's " sere- 

 nade he awoke, and listening attentively^, and fantastically leaning 

 alternately to right and left, peeped curiously down to the floor. I 

 learned that mouse and bird were intimately acquainted with each 

 other, and that the former frequently visited his feathered friend and 

 staid to supper. 'Accordingly, while we looked on with interest and 

 pleasure, "Nicodemus" climbed up the drawn curtains, entered the 

 bird's cage, and partook of the seed — the canary showing no symptom 

 of disapprobation or disturbance, but merely from his perch peering 

 down on his visitor in a ludicrously quaint and odd manner. During 

 his supper-time " Nicodemus " obliged us, from the cage, with several 

 repetitions of his song, " The Chirper," down below on the carpet, oc- 

 casionally coming in with a monotonous contralto accompaniment, and 

 sometimes emitting a sound like the squeaking of a corkscrew through 

 a cork. The two Uttle songsters, having done their best to please us, 

 were rewarded with all that mice could wish for as components of a 

 feast, and, after selecting the portions they severally preferred, grace- 

 fully retired. 



