214 ''THESE ARE YOUR BROTUERBV 



low words of warning and caution, and their 

 observations upon his movements. Who that 

 has ever lain on his back in the hay, and 

 watched the barn swallows as they come to 

 their nest and perch on the great beam to dress 

 their feathers and perhaps give their quaint lit- 

 tle song before setting out again, but is con- 

 vinced that they are great chatterers ! Indeed, 

 one can hear them, as they fly through the air, 

 not only calling to each other, but exchanging 

 remarks, which is quite different. 



To one who has watched birds it is plain that 

 they are fond of play. A bit of string will 

 often amuse one for a long time : he will jump 

 sideways and drag it about in a very droll way, 

 beat it on the floor, fly away with it, and in 

 other ways enjoy it. A marble, or anything 

 that rolls, will sometimes answer the same pur- 

 pose. A mocking-bird delighted in a grass 

 stalk with the seeds on. He would grasp it in 

 the middle, hop all about his cage, lay it care- 

 fully down in one place, leave it, and then re- 

 turn and take it up again. He would entertain 

 himself a half hour at a time in this manner. 

 A cat-bird was particularly pleased with a 

 handkerchief. If one fell to the floor he was 

 after it in an instant, jerking it over the carpet 

 and enjoying himself greatly. Another bird 

 made himself happy by swinging on a spring 



