86 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



fright on our pet's account, and that day will be 

 ever memorable to us, for we thought the end 

 had come. Bluey's death would have been a real 

 blow, for he had so endeared himself to every 

 member of the family that the loss would have 

 been well nigh irreparable. What had happened 

 no one at the time knew, but Bluey was found on 

 the ground, limp and dazed, apparently in a dying 

 condition. At first we thought he had struck 

 himself against something, and that he was 

 stunned. A little diluted whisky was adminis- 

 tered, and he gradually recovered, but for some 

 hours he remained very quiet, sleeping peacefully 

 in the hand of his mistress. When night came, 

 and it was time for him to go to roost, it was with 

 great difficulty he was induced to leave her hand, 

 for he clung to it, as though disliking the idea of 

 being alone. 



The following day Bluey seemed to have quite 

 recovered, and he was, as usual, allowed the freedom 

 of the house. It was not long before he repeated 

 the performance of the previous day : while in the 

 act of flying, he dropped down in a fit, and again 

 we thought him dying, for he lay on his back with 

 feet upturned and beak wide open, gasping for 

 breath, his eyes shut. Lifting him gently, we 

 tried to do something ; but we soon gave up all 

 hope of his recovery. After a little while, how- 

 ever, his little heart began beating with greater 

 strength ; he opened his eyes, and to our great 

 relief and astonishment he yawned, shook his 

 feathers, nestled in my hand, and went fast asleep. 



The next day passed and he seemed perfectly 



