78 ''TRICKS AND MANNERS'' OF A CAT-BIRD. 



stand why it was impossible to join them. If 

 it had not been winter, his evident longing 

 would have opened windows for him ; a pining 

 captive being too painful to afford any pleasure. 



But he soon became entirely contented, and, 

 having satisfied himself of the nature of glass, 

 seldom looked out, unless something of unusual 

 interest attracted his attention ; a noisy dispute 

 in the sparrow family, trouble among the chil- 

 dren of the next yard, or a snow-storm, which 

 latter astonished and disturbed him greatly, at 

 first. 



The furniture then underwent examination. 

 Every chair round, every shelf, every table and 

 book, every part of the bed, except the white 

 spread, of which he always stood in awe, was 

 closely studied, and its practicability for perch- 

 ing purposes decided upon. My desk is an ever 

 fresh source of interest, since its contents and 

 arrangements vary. The top of a row of books 

 across the back is his regular promenade, and 

 is carpeted for his use with a long strip of 

 paper. There he comes the first thing in the 

 morning, and peers over the desk to see if I 

 have anything for him, or if any new object 

 has arrived. Here he gets his bit of apple or 

 raisin ; here meal-worms are sometimes to be 

 had ; and here he can stand on one foot and 

 watch the movements of ray pen, which he does 



