278 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 



to rend his delicate heart as well as tympanum. Ne rer shall 

 I forget one droll scene. One day, Bern found on the floor a 

 white grape which he seemed to be disposed comfortably to dis- 

 cuss, after having rolled it out into the broad sunshine. Just 

 at this moment the thrush stepped up in a cool and dignified 

 manner, and carried the grape off dropped it in the shade, 

 and deliberately drawing up one foot among his feathers, 

 seemed to say : "I claim this grape as my own, I stand on 

 the defensive, come and get it if you dare !" so closed the 

 "off" eye, and looked as if the matter was settled to his en- 

 tire satisfaction. 



Bern had been in the very act of pecking the grape 

 when it was so unceremoniously withdrawn ; he drew him- 

 self up on tip-toe fairly with astonishment, his eye seemed 

 to grow larger and rounder, the feathers on his head stood 

 alternately erect and clung close to the scalp ; he stood a mo- 

 ment or two, and then with a loud "mew," darted forward 

 to re-capture the stolen fruit, but the thrush coolly and si- 

 lently met him with open mouth and body thrown forward, 

 yet still covering the grape. Bern's wit returned to him he 

 quietly turned off, as if it was a small matter anyhow. We 

 were astonished was Bern a coward after all ? would he per- 

 mit this bird, even if he was larger, to impose upon him in 

 this fashion, and he able to whip mocking birds at that ? We 

 shook our heads ; if Bern does that we shall withdraw his 

 laurels. But see ! he comes cautiously about the thrush 

 what does he mean ? ah, we perceive ; Bern has sagaciously 

 only changed his tactics, we will watch him ; he thinks the 

 thrush will want some dinner pretty soon, and then, as Bern dis- 

 dains to be called quarrelsome, he will quietly appropriate his 

 treasure. Four hours things retained this position, the thrush 

 never moving more than six inches from his post, though 

 evidently becoming hungry and weary, while Bern silently 

 wandered about the room, feasting in the most provokingly 

 cool way in both cages, and continually making inadvertent 

 incursions in the neighborhood of his enemy, as if for the 



