AN UNEQUAL CONTEST. 233 



to the other perch. Then the robin began a 

 mad war-dance across the cage, wings held up, 

 tail spread, bill clattering, and altogether look- 

 ing as full of mischief as any bad boy one ever 

 saw, while the tanager went wild below, flying 

 in a panic back and forth, but not for some 

 time thinking of leaving the cage. The in- 

 stant this performance began, the little cham- 

 pion was upon him ; he alighted at one end of 

 the short tramping ground on the cage, and 

 met his big foe with open beak and every sign 

 of war. The robin simply lowered his head 

 and went for him, and the little bird had to fly. 

 He pluckily returned at once to the other end 

 and faced him again. 



Observing that the goldfinch alone was not 

 able to keep the robin away, I provided the 

 cage with a roof of paper, which is usually a per- 

 fect protection, since birds dislike the rustle. It 

 did not dismay this naughty fellow, however ; 

 on the contrary, it gave an added zest because 

 of that very quality. He pranced across it in 

 glee, making a great noise, and when the vio- 

 lence of his movements pushed it aside, he 

 peered down on the tanager, who stood pant- 

 ing. The sight pleased him, and he resumed 

 his pranks; he lifted the handle of the cage 

 and let it drop with a clatter; he jerked off 

 bits of paper and dropped them into the cage, 



