io6 FEATHERED FRIENDS. 



to be made my very own, that is as far as one can be 

 aid to have a proprietary interest in a fellow creature. 



While I stood looking at her, "Grip" was hopping 

 about, very busy, collecting a number of small stones 

 which she arranged in rows along the steps, and when 

 she had completed a line, she knocked them all down 

 again, gave utterance to a funny little croak, like a 

 chuckle, and recommenced. 



"That is her favourite amusement," remarked my 

 friend's wife. 



"Yes," replied my friend, "she will spend hours 

 at that game, and sometimes she will substitute straws 

 and little bits of stick for the stones." 



It was very curious and suggestive to watch her 

 antics, which she would interrupt now and then to 

 chase a fine pair of White Jackdaws, a Magpie, or a 

 Jay that might approach her too nearly; but the time 

 had arrived for her to take her departure from her 

 old home, so my friend took her up in his arms (she 

 was perfectly tame and gentle with him, as, indeed, 

 were all his many birds) and popped her into a box 

 that had been prepared for her reception some time 

 before my appearance on the scene; then he fastened 

 down the lid of it, and beyond poking out her bill 

 through the ventilator, "Grip" offered no resistance to 

 her incarceration. However, her bill (a most formidable 

 nstrument whether for offence or defence) was got in 

 at last, and the lid was securely fastened down with 



