192 TO HIS BEST BELOVED. 



adopted some one temporarily in my place, be 

 was never so affectionate to that one as to me, 

 and the instant I returned resumed his old re- 

 lations to each of us. 



To his best beloved this bird never squawked 

 or whistled ; on the contrary, he talked in low, 

 sweet tones, hardly more than a murmur, 

 slightly lifting and quivering his wings, sidling 

 as near as he could get, and if I put my face 

 down to him touching my cheek or lips gently 

 with his beak, in little taps, like kisses. Any 

 one else in that position would receive a violent 

 peck. Sometimes, when I was busy, and there- 

 fore silent a long time, and the jay was in his 

 cage, where I was obliged to put him in order 

 to work at all, he stood perfectly quiet and 

 motionless an hour at a time, moving only when 

 he was hungry, and apparently watching me 

 every instant, — a performance very uncommon 

 in a bird, who usually has some interests of 

 his own, however fond he may be of a person. 

 The moment I spoke to him his whole manner 

 changed. He came at once as near as he could, 

 about four feet from me, and began to talk, 

 holding his tail on one side, and both wings 

 spread to their fullest extent and parallel with 

 his back. In this attitude he hopped up and 

 down his three perches, always as near my side 

 as possible, and evidently in great excitement. 



