X/A'DS OF PREY 177 



with a young woman, presumably his niece. The old 

 woman, his wife, has got her head in at the opening, 

 and she also is taking in the scene most wrathfully. 

 In the earlier ages, when paintings served the purpose 

 of books, bird life was frequently depicted. Ancient 

 and modern art have both drawn attention to owls, 

 and the poor birds have often got more of it than 

 suited them. 



My own bird is at liberty. This he uses to the 

 very best of his ability, making the third member in 

 our small house. He is by no means the least im- 

 portant, for he claims and receives the greatest atten- 

 tion at meal times. He steps from his perch on to 

 the hand, sits on the place appointed for him, and 

 chatters all the time it is in progress. Sometimes, by 

 way of a change, he will run about inspecting all 

 things ; he is very swift of foot and most inquisitive. 

 Very affectionate too, he shows that plainly. He is 

 about more in the daytime than in the evening or 

 night, and he will sit in the full light of the sun ; all 

 through the hot summer of 1887 he has done so as a 

 matter of choice. His food consists of mice of all 

 kinds, birds of the finch tribe, old and young. Star- 

 lings, blackbirds, and thrushes he will not eat, nor 

 insects such as chaffers and others of a similar kind ; 

 he will not even look at them. It is not always 



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