HE FOUND THE WORLD HARD. 53 



molested. Thus departed number one, with 

 energy and curiosity, to investigate a brand-new- 

 world, fearless in his ignorance and self-confi- 

 dence, although his entrance into the world had 

 not been the triumphant fly we might look for, 

 but an ignominious " flop," and was irresistibly 

 and ludicrously suggestive of the manner of 

 exit from the home nest of sundry individuals 

 of our own race, which we consider of much 

 greater importance. 



The young traveler set out at exactly ten 

 o'clock. As soon as he was out of sight, though 

 not out of hearing, — for the youngster as well 

 as the parents kept the whole world of boys and 

 cats well informed of his whereabouts for three 

 days, — I returned and gave my attention to 

 number two, who was now out upon the native 

 tree. This one was much more quiet than his 

 predecessor. He did not cry, but occasionally 

 uttered a mocking-bird squawk, though spend- 

 ing most of his time dressing his plumage, in 

 preparation for the grand entree. At twelve 

 o'clock he made the plunge and came to the 

 ground in a heap. This was plainly a bird of 

 different disposition from number one ; his first 

 journey evidently tired him. He found the 

 world hard and disappointing, so he simply 

 stayed where he dropped in the middle of the 

 path, and refused to move, though I touched 



