Ezekiel 



157 



enough to alight on the back of our little dog, and imjnidently ])eck him on 

 the nose, much to the disgust of the dog. 



We tried taking him outdoors a few times; but he would leave his perch 

 on finger or shoulder only long enough to get a bug and fly back to share it. 

 The risk was seldom taken, for fear of some lurking cat. 



Not one of us would have kept him a day had we been convinced that he 

 could be happier outside, but we felt sure he would never live to learn wild 

 ways. Surely no one ever saw a more happy, joyous little creature than he 

 was with us. Interested in everything, and singing more beautifully than 

 any who have not been privileged to hear a Rose-breasted Grosbeak sing can 

 imagine, he was the embodiment of joy. 



For more than three years he brightened our lives and home. No one who 

 knew him but has loved all nature more and been kinder to all living things. 

 More than one woman who saw him has ceased to admire the dead birds on 

 hats. Surely his mission in life was well fulfilled. 



Photugruphed by J. M. Schrcck 



