PERCHING BIRDS. 125 



observed to go upon the grass by choice, always 

 preferring the gravel walks. Its habits are thus 

 described by its owner. 



" His curiosity is beyond bounds, and he never 

 fails to examine anything new to him. If the 

 gardener is pruning he examines the nail-box, 

 carries off the nails, and scatters the shreds about. 

 Should a ladder be left against the wall, he 

 instantly mounts and goes all round the top of the 

 wall ; and, if hungry, descends at a convenient 

 place, and immediately betakes himself to the 

 kitchen window, at which he makes an incessant 

 knocking till he is either fed or let in. If allowed 

 to enter, his first endeavour is to get upstairs, 

 and, if not interrupted, he goes as high as he can, 

 and gets into the attic story; but his intention 

 is to get upon the top of the house. He is exces- 

 sively fond of being caressed, and would stand 

 quietly an hour to be coaxed, but resents an 

 affront with both bill and claws, and will hold on 

 so fast by the latter that he is with difficulty dis- 

 engaged. He is extraordinarily attached to one 

 lady, upon the back of whose chair he will sit for 

 hours ; and is particularly fond of making one at 

 a breakfast party, or, on a summer's evening, at 

 the tea-table in the shrubbery. His natural food 

 is, evidently, the smallest insects ; even the minute 

 species he picks out of the crevices of the walls, 



