A "FAIRY" STORY. 71 



hearing low, soft warbles from unseen singers on 

 the common or in the woods ; I vainly tried to see 

 what bird it could be, but it always seemed to 

 remain out of sight My small pet has solved the 

 mystery by performing for my private benefit the 

 sweet music of her wild brethren out of doors. 



I am constantly reminded of the lines in Cole- 

 ridge's " Ancient Mariner " : 



" A noise like of a hidden brook 

 In the leafy month of June, 

 That to the sleeping woods all night 

 Singeth a quiet tune." 



As I sit at my writing, the delicate soft warbling 

 goes on hour after hour, and is a source of real 

 pleasure to me, so manifestly is it the outcome of 

 a perfectly happy little spirit telling out its inward 

 joy in its own sweet fashion. 



Captivity has no terrors for Fairy ; she loves her 

 cage, and will hardly leave it except when she 

 occasionally takes a swift flight to and fro, and 

 then alights on my notepaper to give a peck at 

 my pen. She delights in sitting on the fender, 

 fluffing up her feathers to revel in the warmth, 



