2-62 



LABOUR. 



in his attempts to escape. He had climbed along the window almost 

 to the ceiling, immediately above which he had begun to excavate. 

 The bed was covered with large pieces of plaster, the laths of the 

 ceiling were exposed for an area of nearly fifteen square inches, and 

 a hole through which you could pass your thumb was already 

 formed in the skylight ; so that, in the space of another hour, he 

 would cei-tainly have succeeded in effecting an opening. I fastened 

 round his neck a cord, which I attached to the table, and left him — 

 I wanted to preserve him alive — while I went in search of food. On 

 returning, I could hear that he had resumed his labours, and on my 

 entrance saw that he had nearly destroyed the table to which he 

 had been fastened, and against which he had directed al] his wrath. 

 When I wished to take a sketch, he cut me several times with his 

 beak, and displayed so noble and so indomitable a courage that I 

 was tempted to restore him to his native forests. He lived with me 

 nearly three days, refusing all food, and I was present at his death 

 with sincere regret." 



