A JOLLY RED-HEAD. 127 



shot from a cannon, performs some exploit, such 

 as poising, whirling, darting straight npward, and 

 almost turning a somersault, and then circles 

 gracefully back to his upright floor of bark, crying 

 exultingly, " G-r-r-e-e-l^ g-7'-r-e-e-l ! " which being 

 interpreted means, " Wasn't that a clever trick ? " 

 Often, it is true, he makes a dash for an insect, 

 just as the wood-pewee or the great crested Hy- 

 catcher does ; but I am inclined to think that 

 many of his feats are performed for pure love of 

 frolic. 



I have watched a dozen or more of these birds 

 engaging in their wing-exercises in a favorite 

 woodland, which might have been called their 

 gymnasium. They had selected a certain tree for 

 a point of departure, and with loud chatteiing 

 would dash away after one another, describe a 

 graceful circle, and then plunge back into the 

 tree. At times their cries seemed to be half- 

 angry. Still, the whole performance seemed so 

 jolly that it reminded me of a company of children 

 playing " base " or " black-man." These birds 

 certainly have some sense of humor, and enjoy a 

 romp as much as the most playful school-boys. 



One of their favorite pastimes is playing " hide- 

 and-seek " about the trunks of trees. It is am us- 



