AFFECTION FOR ITS MATE. 383 



were partly clipped, they were nevertheless often absent for 

 the whole day, in which while they paid visits to the 

 neighbours, but always returned home in the evening. A 

 great attachment existed between them, and when one was 

 absent, the cries of the other were incessant. When on one 

 occasion the male was wounded, the female participated in 

 his troubles, was constantly in his company, and would not 

 permit any one to approach him. 



" At an after-period she herself fell ill, when the male on 

 his part showed the same regard and attachment to her. 

 She died at length, and the male went perfectly distracted. 

 He ran with piercing cries to his owner, and back again to 

 his departed mate, attempted to raise her up with his bill, 

 and when unsuccessful in his efforts, displayed his sorrow in 

 various touching ways. He was afterwards shut up else- 

 where, that the dead bird might be removed ; but so soon as 

 he regained his liberty, he ran through the house, and up the 

 stairs, pecking with his bill at the several doors, that they 

 might be opened for him ; and when he obtained access, he 

 would search for her everywhere. Three days subsequently 

 he was found standing in a field, in a very disconsolate 

 state. It is true he allowed himself to be enticed home once 

 more, but for a long time his melancholy mood continued. 

 It was only by coercive means that he could be made to 

 enter his former abode, which he would not again leave 

 during the whole winter. 



" The next spring he sought company, and his affections 

 seemed centered in the bull belonging to the place, whose 

 loud bellowings appeared to make a great impression on him. 

 He kept by the side of this animal in the cattle-house, drove 

 the flies away from him, responded to his bellowings with 



