OUR PETS. 14.) 



requires, however, that the birds should be allowed occa- 

 sionally the freedom of flying about the room, if we wish 

 to keep them tame and companionable, and it is curious to 

 see how impatient they will get if the usual time for letting 

 them out is passed by, and how contented they are to re- 

 turn to the cage after the indulgence of a bath and a flight. 



A lark, reared from the nest, was most resolute in thus 

 urging his claims to get out during breakfast. His bath 

 consisted of a saucer of sand, in Avhich he rolled with great 

 satisfaction, after which he w^ould lie down on a sunny 

 spot and bask on the carpet. It so happened that the 

 only part of the room where the morning sun shone, was 

 generally appropriated by a poodle dog; but " larky" alw^ays 

 insisted on room being made for him, and would peck at 

 the dog's feet, and torment him till he rose or moved, so 

 as to leave sufficient space for lying down beside him. 



In another rather inconvenient way he shew^ed his lik- 

 ing for a cozy perch ; for, unless watched, he would fly on 

 to the table and crouch dow^n on the hot rolls, giving a 

 little angry scream and pecking at the hand that dislodged 

 him. 



The friendships formed between the animals themselves 

 are very curious, and cannot always be accounted for by 

 the usual reason given, — namely, that of solitude. A very 

 tame bantam cock w^as one of the most friendly birds in 

 this way I ever knew. He had been brought up by some 

 cottage children from his chicken-hood, and never seemed 

 happier or more contented than w^hen lying on any one's 

 lap or carried about, sometimes wrapped in a shawl. 



