52 A WINTER BIRD-STUDY. 



bird seed one at a time from my fingers, I offer 

 him the cup to shame his greediness, but, noth- 

 ing daunted, he attempts to choke down every 

 one, till I take it away lest he hurt himself. 

 Jealousy bad, however, one unusual and pleas- 

 ing effect on my bird ; it made him suddenly 

 tame. For the first time he alighted on my 

 knee as I sat down with his meat in my hand. 

 Finding himself comfortable, and not disturbed 

 or annoyed by my presuming upon his confi- 

 dence, he stayed a long time ; next he perched 

 on my shoulder, then my head, and, in fact, be- 

 fore six days were over he was almost trouble- 

 some in his familiarity. He would stand mo- 

 tionless an hour at a time on my knee or arm, 

 watching the movements of my pen, taking an 

 occasional lunch of bread from my fingers or 

 lips, and apparently not in the least alarmed. 



But familiarities must be all on the thrush's 

 side. Should I attempt to bring my hand near 

 him, except with an offering, or to touch even 

 one toe, lie will either fly away or show fight. 

 He rapidly advanced from this attitude towards 

 me to friendly relations with all the family, 

 even a youth who likes to tease him, and to 

 whom he always presents an open bill. When 

 I lie down he stands like a guardian spirit on 

 my arm or shoulder, or on the head-board of 

 the bed, with the untiring patience of his race / 



