TRANSIENT GUESTS IN THE BIRD-ROOM. 145 



way this bird behaved. His encounters with a 

 lively mocking-bird of not half his strength, 

 and his final subjugation by force of mind 

 alone, are elsewhere related. 



A most curious little drama and exhibition 

 of bird-character occurred between two cana- 

 ries, or rather three; and although it did not 

 come under my own eye, it was reported to me 

 by a careful observer, who did watch it from 

 beginning to end. Two singers belonging to 

 two ladies in the same house hung beside a 

 window in their cages — one a small affair of 

 gilt, only large enough for a single bird, the 

 other much larger and plainer. The owner of 

 the large cage thought it would be nice to give 

 her bird a mate, reasoning as do matchmakers 

 who meddle with human affairs : " He has a 

 large house, a living secured, — let us get him 

 a wife ! " No sooner said than done (in the 

 case of the canary). Straightway a visit was 

 made to the shops, a bride bought, and placed in 

 his cage. 



The new-comer was expected, oi course, to 

 accept the goods the gods provide and be 

 thankful, but she proved to have opinions of 

 her own. She resented being set off to any- 

 body ; she noted the gay bachelor across the 

 way ; possibly she observed his gorgeous cage ; 

 at any rate, she plainly decided to have a choice 



10 



