36 A GENTLE SPIRIT. 



nearer and nearer, the goldfinch scolds louder 

 and louder, shaking his wings and swelling him- 

 self to look as formidable as possible to one of 

 his few inches. I have seen them stand ten 

 minutes, not three inches apart, the smaller bird 

 scolding, chattering, and even uttering snatches 

 of song, while the thrush simply gazes at him, 

 with crown feathers erect, and feet well apart 

 in attitude of " going for him." Words could 

 not be plainer than his manner, which says, 

 " How that little rascal can have the imperti- 

 nence to defy me on my own ground, I cannot 

 understand ; " and, as though it were a puzzle 

 he determined to solve, he will stand and stare, 

 looking at his small foe from head to foot, even 

 touching his bill with his own in an experimen- 

 tal sort of way, while the goldfinch, slightly 

 puffed out, ready for flight if the enemy be- 

 comes threatening, twitters and scolds, and 

 sings a little now and then. 



There is one thing in which the thrush shows 

 a little selfishness. Apple is his greatest treat. 

 He gets it in small slices on the floor, and he 

 cannot endure to see one in the possession of 

 another bird. No matter how fresh may be his 

 own, to see a bit given to a neighbor arouses 

 the only passion I have seen in him. Instantly 

 he abandons the piece he has, and starts for the 

 other, running so rapidly across the floor that 



