OF A LINNET. 217 



amends for his displeasure, by kissing her lips, and 

 feeding her with the seeds he had shelled, or throw- 

 ing up from his maw the food he had previously 

 swallowed, putting it into her mouth with his bill, as 

 if she had been a young bird ; then he would settle on 

 her shoulder, and remain there without attempting 

 to regain his liberty, though she sometimes ventured 

 into the garden with him in that situation. After 

 staying three years in England, Miss T. returned to 

 Ireland, and carried her favourite with her, who is 

 still living, and as fond of his mistress as ever. He 

 is prone to take dislikes to strangers, especially if 

 meanly dressed ; and he never fails to testify it by 

 scolding like a parrot ; and when he has once shown 

 symptoms of aversion, nothing can overcome it, but 

 he repeats the same sounds upon the appearance of 

 the person, whom he recognises though in a different 

 dress. He has a great abhorrence of scarlet or full 

 red, and seems terrified at a red coat, a shawl, or a 

 standard of colours.* 



This extraordinary account proves that birds are 

 capable of attachment towards particular persons; 

 a quality that renders them as amiable as they are 

 beautiful. In those species that form permanent 



* These circumstances were authenticated by a lady of re- 

 spectable character. 



