SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 135 



frequently noticed. A favorite branch overhanging the water is 

 sometimes occupied by six or eight birds of several different spe- 

 cies, asleep. Another crowds in next the trunk^ and the outer- 

 most one is pushed off into the water. Complaining and protest- 

 ing, he falls, but soon takes revenge by crowding in at the op- 

 posite end of the line. Thus, again and again, when one would 

 think a quarrel impending, only good-natured complaints are 

 heard, and these last but a few moments. 



Comparison of the inmates of this flying cage with correspond- 

 ing classes of human beings which they recall, is inevitable. Thus, 

 the snowy egrets are likened to dashing, exquisite courtiers only 

 too ready with rapier beak ; the wood ibises suggest the buf- 

 foons ; the cormorants are like rollicking boys ; the pelicans seem 

 like aged men with second-childhood's stage upon them, and the 

 night-herons suggest rheumatic old persons of the most irascible 

 type. And where else, in a smaller cage, could such curious 

 friendships develop? Here, where the glossy ibises and the 

 tree-ducks learn reciprocity, the latter permitting" themselves to 

 be pummelled and pushed as the long beak of the ibis searches 

 their feathers for stray lice, or where a baby flamingo and a de- 

 moiselle crane become inseparable companions ; where the great 

 white pelican in a spirit of play actually tosses up the tiny 

 Java ducks, and catches them in his huge pouch unhurt ; where 

 a cormorant rescues an over-greedy duck from an ignominious 

 fall into the shrimp pail ; where the coots swim unheeded between 

 the stick-like legs of the flamingoes — here, where these and a hun- 

 dred other incidents occur daily and hourly, approximately perfect 

 conditions have been achieved for giving the birds what we owe 

 them in taking them from the woods and fields — plenty of room, 

 fresh air, protection from cold and enemies, and an abundance of 

 good food and water. The crowds that frequently are banked 

 three deep around this cage are the best evidence of the interest 

 it arouses among all classes of visitors. 



V. Esthetic Effect of Diverse Forms and Colors. — The last ad- 

 vantage, which, although of less vital importance in some ways, 

 yet ought not to be ignored, is the pleasure to be derived from 

 the beautiful kaleidoscopic effect of many living, active birds as- 

 sociating together — an animated mosaic of many colors and forms, 

 gracefully mingling and producing a result with which the most 

 beautiful bird could not be compared when confined by itself. 



