84 ''TRICKS AND MANNERS" OF A CAT-BIRD. 



falling over on his back. The moment he ar- 

 rived the cat-bird came down to look on. He 

 watched with great attentiveness the slow and 

 careful movements of the insect as it climbed 

 the glass, bracing itself as long as possible with 

 one of its long hind-legs resting on the floor. 

 So long as the leg remained as a brace it was 

 safe, but when the climber had to withdraw the 

 support to go higher, its movements were not 

 so sure, and suddenly it fell over backwards, 

 landing on its back with all six legs wildly paw- 

 ing the air. The human observers were startled, 

 but the effect on the bird was laughable. He 

 made one bound, landing a foot away ; but un- 

 able to conquer his curiosity, slowly and warily 

 returned, to be again startled by a second catas- 

 trophe. This performance was enacted again 

 and again so long as the stupid green insect 

 remained on the desk, but the bird never lost 

 his interest in it, and never failed to be as 

 much startled at the denouement as at first. 

 His interest in my doings is always intense, 

 and at every fresh movement he will come 

 down to the corner nearest me, if in his cage, 

 or alight on the back of my desk, if out, and 

 peer at me with closest attention. One thing 

 that seems to amaze and confound him is my 

 appearance in a different dress. " What sort 

 of a monster is this," his manner says, " which 



