TOUCHING AFFECTION. 231 



between his duties of special porter, and body- 

 guard. But he did his best, even then ; he fol- 

 lowed the wanderer. If the tanager went to a 

 perch the goldfinch at once alighted on the same, 

 about a foot away, and sidled up as near as he 

 was allowed. He was free to come within about 

 three inches, but nearer he was driven off, so 

 the little fellow placed himself at this distance 

 and there stayed patiently as long as his friend 

 remained. If the latter had been more respon- 

 sive, I believe the goldfinch would have nestled 

 up against him. 



The tanager sometimes strayed into a strange 

 cage, and then the anxious guard followed to 

 the steps and even within, talking earnestly, 

 and no doubt pointing out the danger, yet if 

 the owner unexpectedly appeared he met him 

 at the threshold and fiercely defended the door 

 against the proprietor himself. Occasionally 

 the erratic recluse went to the floor — a place 

 never visited by his little attendant, whose 

 trouble was almost painful to see. He at once 

 placed himself on the lowest perch, stretched 

 out and looked over, following every movement 

 with his eyes, in silence, as though the danger 

 was too great to allow conversation, and when 

 his charge returned to a perch, he uttered a loud 

 and joyous call as though some peril had been 

 escaped. 



