BIRDS OF NIGHT. 45 



can cling to a brick wall or any rough surface like 

 a bat and pick up a mouse or a bird ; dead ones 

 here, of course, which are brought to me for him ; 

 I do not give him live creatures ; and taking the 

 mouse from my fingers he will hold it out at the 

 full stretch of his very long leg for my inspection, 

 and then throw, not drop the mouse to the other 

 side of his cage. 



During the day Patch stays in my painting-room. 

 After tea I fetch him down to our sitting-room, 

 where I am busy, beside my wife, with my books 

 or writing. He is no sooner placed on his stand 

 opposite the table than he asks to be let out. The 

 cage-door being opened, he is off on a tour of 

 inspection and a game. Nothing escapes his 

 notice. Running with the speed of a partridge 

 or quail over the carpet, he inspects all things, 

 particularly myself. No matter how he is engaged, 

 he will come from time to time in the most quiet 

 manner to have a look at me. His wings have 

 never been clipped, so that he can move very rapidly, 

 At times he compels me to catch him and put him 

 in the cage. Getting hold of him very gently, I 

 turn him over back downwards in the palm of my 



