222 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



Frequently, for he was also unconfined, he would 

 go to any one who sat reading or writing, climb 

 up, and find his way to the hollow of the hand, 

 where he would curl into a ball and sleep. At 

 such times he did not wish to be disturbed, and 

 once having installed himself, resented any motion 

 on the part of the owner of the hand. Half 

 awake, he made a chattering noise, and if the 

 motion did not cease, would presently give the 

 hand a sharp nip. If this was insufficient, a real 

 bite ensued, so that whoever held him was at his 

 mercy. Over Venado, when he curled in that 

 animal's hair, he exercised the same sort of tyr- 

 anny, and it was interesting to see him bully the 

 deer into being absolutely quiet while he enjoyed 

 his slumber. 



Besides sleeping together, these animals were 

 all fed at the same time; the custom being to 

 make a mush of bran, with bits of meat and 

 scrapings from the table added, the whole form- 

 ing a sort of thick porridge. Some dozen bowls 

 were placed upon the ground, and into each was 

 poured a portion. Every animal was on the qui 

 vive ; the dogs, the deer, the cats, and the squirrel 

 were all soon busy eating. There was no quar- 

 relling; sometimes a slight admonition was given, 

 and when the first cravings of hunger were allayed, 

 a series of visits were paid by all the animals to 

 each dish, changing off, much as men do after 



