THE PIGEON. 63 



to wit, that part of the floor in a corner, on which stands 

 an old table, and into which he will not allow dog or cat 

 to enter, or even to approach, without a blow of his wing 

 or bill ! 



" Next spring, finding no mate, he attached himself to 

 a stocking-foot stuffed with straw, round which he built 

 a nest. The year following he took up with a rabbit that 

 used to run about the house. This animal in its pranks, 

 with a kind of half-wicked, half-sportive design, would 

 sometimes destroy Poodle's nest. This was no doubt a 

 great annoyance to the Pigeon, for it generally cost him 

 the labor of a whole week to repair the injury done. It 

 was curious to see how he proceeded in this operation. 

 Having lifted a piece of twig, and placed it in the position 

 in which he wished it to rest upon those intended to be 

 placed under it, he perhaps found it too large; on which 

 he would not attempt to shorten it, for some kind of intui- 

 tive knowledge seemed to assure him, that the attempt on 

 his part would ^e vain ; but laid aside the long twig for 

 future use, and had recourse to one of smaller dimensions. 

 While this Rabbit was his associate, he used to remind it 

 at night that it was time to retire to rest ; if disobeyed, 

 he gave the intimation in another form went out from 

 his retirement, and compelled compliance. During the 

 day, if the Rabbit was on the floor, he used to come out, 

 and attempt to decorate it, in which occupation he took 

 great pleasure, especially in trimming its long ears. The 

 Rabbit would sit still all the while, unless the Pigeon 

 became rude, when a battle would take place. At length 

 the Rabbit was killed, and Poodle for some time had no 

 mate ; but, thinking it better to have a partner of any sort 

 than none at all, he attached himself to the dog, who allow- 

 ed him to perch on his back, and use any liberty short of 

 inflicting pain. He always, however, keeps possession 

 of his castle, which the hens, the cat, and the dog, some- 



