154 DRAMATIC BIRD-STUFFING. CHAP. ix. 



glass at his feet, did not dream more of what he 

 would do with his forthcoming income, than Edward 

 did of what he would do with the successful results 

 of his exhibition at Aberdeen. 



But Edward must now be up and doing. The 

 cases had to be put in order ; new objects had to be 

 added to the collection ; new birds had to be stuffed. 

 Some of the groups had to be arranged in dramatic 

 form. One of these consisted of the Death of Cock 

 Robin. There was the Sparrow perched upon a twig, 

 warrior-like, with his bow in one of his feet, and his 

 arrow-case slung across his back. There was the red- 

 breasted Eobin lying on a green and mossy knoll, 

 with the arrow shot by the sparrow sticking in his 

 little heart ; and in a burn meandering close by, there 

 was a silvery fish with its little dish, catching 

 Robin's life-blood. There was also a great black 

 beetle, with a thread and needle, ready to sew his 

 shroud. 



In another case, the Babes in the Wood were re- 

 presented, two Robin Redbreasts covering their ten- 

 der bodies with leaves. There was a case of mice, 

 entitled "Pussy from Home:" the mice, large and 

 small, were going into and coming out of a meal-bag, 

 which they were rifling. There was another large 

 case, containing a number of small birds in a state 

 of great excitement, darting and pecking at an object 

 in the middle of the case, which proved to be a Weasel, 

 attempting to rob a yellow Bunting's nest, containing 



