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Pin-TAII.ir) MAPAQUE. 



quickly for the eye to follow, one of tlic Brulis shot down the bars, and with a 

 single adroit tnovemcnt, whipped out one of the white feathers and leaped to the 

 hack of the cage. Seating liinisclf on the ground, he gravely inspected his prize, 

 turning it over in every direction, smelling it critically, and biting off little strii)s 

 of the feather, in order to ascertain the flavour. Having satisfied himself on these 

 points, he stuck the feather behind one of his ears, so that it drooped over his 

 head in ludicrous imitation of the manner in which it had been fastened into the 

 hat. Thus accoutred, he paraded about the floor of the cage with stately pride. 



His companion now tlioiight himself entitled to some share in the booty, and, 

 creeping up stealthily from i)ehind, made a siulden spring at the feather. It was 

 quite useless, for the original thief was on the alert, and, putting the feather in 

 liis mouth, he chmbed up a suspended rope witli wonderful agiHty ; and in order to 

 guard against an attack from below, he coiled up the rope with his hinder feet as 



17 



