114 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 



ing little notice of one's approach. " Should one attempt 

 to fly," writes a recent observer, "it immediately falls on its 

 back as if shot. The legs and toes are stretched out to their 



BROWN CREEl'EIi. 



farthest extent, and are quite rigid ; the eyes protrude, are 

 insensible to the touch, and the whole body quivers slight- 

 ly. It remains in this state from one to two minutes, when 

 it recovers suddenly, and seems as active as before. If 

 taken in the hand, it will immediately go into convulsions, 

 even if it has been in a warm room for several hours, and 

 has been supplied plentifully with food. Death usually 

 puts an end to its suffering in a day or two." 



Such catastrophes are more likely to occur, Tiowever, in 

 the spring, after the birds have begun to come northward, 

 than in the steadier weather of January ; and even the song- 



