JACK. 75 



land, and everj- feathered Jack was courting some demure 

 little Jill, David carried the cage up to the bridge beyond 

 the shop and opened the door. Jack came out, but no 

 farther than his hand. Whereupon David put him on a 

 branch and explained that while he should always be ver}-- 

 glad to see him in the shop, he had no desire to make a 

 prisoner of him, and he would be happier if free. Then 

 the empty cage was carried back to the house. I^ess than 

 an hour later the house mistress, having occasion to open 

 the outside door, found poor Jack standing disconsolate on 

 the step. He flew briskly in and onto his old cage, and 

 there he stayed — a happy and contented bachelor. 



It was entertaining to watch the play of his inherited 

 instincts. His food — insects, nuts, bread, etc. — was nev- 

 er allowed to remain in a food dish, but was tucked in the 

 cracks and crannies of his cage, under the dishes or the 

 false bottom, anywhere, so he fancied it hidden. The 

 house mistress soon learned to put out of reach anything 

 like a work-basket before he was given the freedom of the 

 room to stretch his wings. What havoc he made with a 

 pincushion ! He developed almost a parrot's power of im- 

 itation. He whistled in very human fashion. He called 

 " Kitty," until the cat came running in, when he looked 

 at her with a positive twinkle of fun in his eyes. Frank, 

 the boy, could never distinguish Jack's call from his 

 mother's. He struggled with "Dave," but even parrots 

 can never conquer the letter V. He could say water 

 plainly, and several other words. 



Dear old Jack ! He held a big, warm place in the 

 hearts of his friends, and seemed to furnish another exam- 

 ple of the intimate and loving relations we may establish 

 with Nature's children if we only approach them in the 

 right spirit. 



