27 



The next morning I went ont early to see if the bird had 

 returned, and, to my delight, I saw it sitting on a fence near the 

 aviary. It was rather frightened when I came, near and flew 

 away. I put the cage (which the wind had blown over during 

 the night) up again, and went away. In about a quarter of au 

 hour the bird came back and rushed into the cage. I quickly 

 secured him and took him into the aviary, and he seemed 

 delighted to be at home again. 



He had been out in a dreadful storm of wind and rain all 

 night, but seemed not a hit the worse for it. 



1 think he must be a very intelligent bird as I have never 

 before known a foreign bird to return after having escaped. 

 The bird has always been a great favourite of mine, but I 

 think more of him than ever now, after his adventure. 



M. E. Baker. 



THE CHOUGH'S ESCAPADE. 



The well known Cornish Chough belonging to our 

 member Mr. Morgan, and the winner of some 50 first prizes, 

 had, apparently, heard of the pleasures of an outdoor London 

 life enjoyed so long by the late lamented famous Brixton 

 Jackdaw, for on the afternoon of February 9th last, he went 

 for an excursion on his own account, and led his pursuers a 

 nice chase over the roof-tops of the New Kent Road. He 

 seemed to quite enjoy his spell of freedom, whittling his beak 

 on the chimney - tops, and preening his flights in evident 

 appreciation of his unwonted liberty. Travellers on the tram- 

 cars were considerably amused at his antics, and at the efforts 

 of his pursuers to recapture him. He led a small army of 

 these a nice run of about four hours, after which he took it 

 into his head to explore a room, of which the window had been 

 left open, and was restored to his cage, none the worse for his 

 escapade, W. A. LoTT. 



