SOME CAGED PINE GROSBEAKS. 223 



Another point worth notice was that both of them were right- 

 handed. Whenever they clung to the bars of their cage, the 

 right foot was put lowest down to bear the strain; and not only 

 was this seen by constant observation to be their preference, 

 but it was proved by the tails, which became very much worn 

 upon the left side, where they rubbed against the bars. A lady 

 who once kept a wild swamp sparrow captive, noticed that it 

 always wet its food with its right foot and became lame in its 

 left hip in consequence of the strain. Still, it is a matter of 

 dispute whether animals are naturally right-handed. The 

 parrot, it is said, is left-handed. Can you guess why ? Do 

 you know whether it is so ? 



After a few days the little grosbeaks became very tame. 

 They would allow no one to fondle them, and seemed to have 

 no favorites among their attendants; but they were not at all 

 timid, and could be given the liberty of the room in which 

 they were kept for an hour or two every day. There were 

 some hard knocks against the window-panes before they 

 learned that glass is solid, although so clear, but they learned 

 the lesson. Nor did they seem anxious for their liberty. 

 After an hour or two of freedom they would go into their cage, 

 or allow themselves to be caught in the hand. There was 

 something so brave and trustful in the way they would look 

 up with their clear hazel eyes, as if to say, " You don't mean 

 to hurt us ; we are sure you don't." All this time the wing- 

 quills of the male had been growing, and he was now able to 

 fly as well as ever. They were great pets, and we tried to 

 make them happy. Our last attempt succeeded so well that it 

 ends this story ; for there came a day in March when to do 

 them a j)leasure they were taken out on the veranda for an 

 airing. The bottom of the cage dropped out, and the male, 

 wild for the freedom of the fresh air, leaped from his cage. 



