BOBBY. 173 



long rides with T , whose white sun-helmet became 



a most imposing headgear, as Bobby surmounted it, 

 spreading his great black wings ; reminding us of the 

 raven-crest of some ancient Scandinavian warrior. 

 Then, while in full gallop, he would dart after one of the 

 great gaudy locusts four inches long, and looking like 

 painted toys daubed with red, yellow, and green and, 

 catching it on the wing with unerring aim, would 

 fly back with it to his place on the sun-helmet, where 

 he would regale with many noises expressive of satis- 

 faction. 



Bobby was not a " temperance " bird ; indeed, his 

 tastes lay in quite an opposite direction. We first dis- 

 covered his propensity by accident, and in this manner. 

 One day, when doctoring a sick fowl, which needed 

 " picking up," I had mixed some porridge with wine, 

 making it very strong. Just as I was about to admin- 

 ister it, Bobby came hurrying up, with his inquiring 

 mind, as usual, all on the qui vive to see what was 

 going on. He plunged his bill into the porridge, and 

 helped himself to a large mouthful ; then, finding it to 

 his taste, he went on eating noisily and greedily, till he 

 had " taken on board " a considerable amount, and 

 walked off satisfied. Then, having attended to my 

 patient, I went indoors, thinking no more of Bobby 

 till, some time after, Nancy, our Hottentot "help," 

 eame running to us, calling out, " Missis ! Missis ! 

 Bobby drunk ! " We went outside ; and there, sure 

 enough, was Bobby, on his back, his little black feet 

 helplessly kicking the air, his bill wide open, and a 



M 



