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a word in edgeways, for he would not be talked down. 

 And if I learnt nothing but a deeper and more 

 affectionate liking for the whole feathered race, and 

 himself in particular, I consider my time as by no means 

 illspent, for was I not conversing with nature through 

 that small bundle of feathers? I used to look forward to 

 these little chats, and so I think did he, for he never dis- 

 appointed me, and now— poor little " Imp " has gone. 



One might compile a book respecting this individu- 

 ality in birds, but a few more instances among my own 

 friends may suffice. Weavers are great favourites of 

 mine, and, I think, possess intelligence in a marked 

 degree : who can see their nests and doubt it ? But I 

 am dealing with matters which are not always intelligible 

 to ourselves. For instance one of my Orange Bishops 

 has a trick of closing the eye which is turned to the front 

 of the aviary. At first I thought it might be a cold — but 

 no — he turned round soon after and closed the other. 

 Then thought I, he closes them both ; but like the stag 

 in the fable, he keeps his weather eye open, and knows 

 all that goes on among his friends. Another Orange 

 Bishop has such a sleek and prosperous air, and a decided 

 disinclination for too much exercise, that he passes 

 for the " Alderman." 



A Crimson-crowned Bishop is a verv good natured 

 fellow, and is quite content to pass his time laying the 

 foundations of new nests — and there he leaves them and 

 starts another. A Napoleon, appropriately enough, tries 

 to accomplish the task of completing these many pieces 

 of architecture, but never has time to finish one on 

 account of the many that require his attention. Another 

 Crimson-crowned Weaver has a shocking temper, and a 

 short time ago his head and neck was almost bare of 

 feathers through his successive " mills," As he finds he 

 doesn't always get matters his own way, he has quieted 

 down considerably lately, and seems to be reflecting on 

 the situation. And perhaps it is time, when a small 

 Zebra Finch gives him a good thrashing first, and then 

 lectures him on his conduct afterwards ! Then there is a 



