1 86 



Bird- Lore 



he came directly back and waited for nie to do it. Another I called 

 •Little Ruffled Breast,' on account of the feathers on the breast be- 

 ing rough and much darker than the rest. He was the most 

 affectionate, had a sweet disposition, and. like human beings of the 

 same character, was often imposed upon, many times being driven 

 off by the others when he was just about taking a nut. He was 

 ver}" tame, and had perfect confidence in anyone who would feed 

 him. The third I named the 'Boss,' because he took the lead 

 and carried the day. He w^as a beauty, spick and span in his 

 dress, not a feather out of place, and plump and perfect in form. 

 The fourth, dubbed 'Little Greedy,' was very fascinating, and I 

 must confess to loving him more than the rest, having had a most 

 novel experience with him. and one never to be forgotten. He 

 came to me one morning, and, lighting on my hand, sang chick-a- 

 dee-dcc two or three times, helped himself to a nut, and, perching 

 on my forefinger, put the nut under his foot, as I have seen them 

 do many a time on the trees, remaining there until he had eaten it. 

 I was thrilled through and through with the sensation and the 

 perfect trustfulness of the little creature, and was sorry when he had 

 finished. But why was he called Greedy ? Because he usually 

 took two pieces instead of one, and, strange to say, knew that he 

 must have both the same size or one would fall out. It was very 

 funny to see him with a good sized piece, his bill stretched to its 

 utmost capacity, trying to fit in another. He turned his bill first 

 on one side then on the other, thinking he could wedge it in by 

 forcing it against my hand, and he succeeded in this wonderful 

 feat by his perseverance and indomitable will. 





