194 FROLICS WITH HIS FRIEND. 



and screamed, stamped his feet, and jounced (the 

 only word to describe a certain raising and vio- 

 lent dropping of the body without lifting the 

 feet). He ran after her when she left the 

 room ; he pecked her hand, and flew up at her 

 face. Gradually, as he grew to like her better, 

 the more violent demonstrations ceased ; but he 

 was always boisterous with her, generally ex- 

 pected a half-fight, half-frolic, and I must say 

 never failed to enjoy it greatly. 



The dance spoken of was droll. His chosen 

 place for this indulgence was the back of a tall 

 chair. His friend stood before this, whistled, 

 bowed, and moved her head up and down as 

 if dancing ; and he on his perch did the same, 

 jumping up and down in a similar way, answer- 

 ing her whistle for whistle, moving his feet, slid- 

 ing from one side to the other, curtsying, lower- 

 ing the body and flattening the head feathers, 

 then rising, stamping his feet, and drooping his 

 wings. This he kept up as long as she played 

 second to him. 



When this playfellow went away, the jay 

 missed his dances and frolics. He flew into her 

 empty room, perched on the back of the rock- 

 ing-chair, where he had been wont to stand and 

 pull her hair, and began a peculiar cry. Again 

 and again he repeated it, louder and louder each 

 time, till it ended in a squawk, impatient and 



