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will. I have noticed that when alarmed, or in the 

 presence of strangers, these red feathers are always 

 raised to a vertical position ; but, when at rest, or with 

 those with whom the. bird is familiar, they are 

 invariably laid close to the crown, and in this position 

 are comparatively inconspicuous. 



My knowledge and ownership of the bird dates 

 back to a certain Lord Mayor's Show Day over two 

 years ago. Animated with a desire to evade the crowd 

 which fills the City on these occasions, I betook 

 myself for a stroll Eastwards, and in due course 

 arrived at Mrs. Abrahams' shop in St. George's vStreet. 

 I had thought of buying a Superb Tanager, but the 

 bird I had mentally chosen had been sold, and in the 

 course of a look round a " very rare" bird was pointed 

 out to me. It was rather late in the afternoon, and the 

 light being not very good, the bird was caught for my 

 inspection. I was immediately struck by the 

 altogether uncommon appearance of the bird, and the 

 more I gazed at it the stronger the impression grew, 

 that here, at all events, was something quite out of 

 the ordinary run of birds. There was an air of bold- 

 ness and individuality, expressed in every turn of the 

 body and poise of the head, which quite captured my 

 fancy. On ascertaining the price, I must confess my 

 ardour instantly cooled, only to revive again within a 

 few seconds with renewed strength. How weak most 

 of us are in the presence of a rare and beautiful bird ! 

 We arrived home safely together, and thus began a 

 companionship which soon grew into a strong feeling 

 of affection and regard. On being placed in a large 

 flight cage, my little friend — though he is rather large 

 when compared with some of the "little" ones — 

 immediately made himself at home. The only trace 

 of shyness noticed was his unwillingness to let anyone 

 observe him eating the insectivorous food. He did 

 not mind my watching him attack a banana or other 



