WAGTAIL AND PIGEON 



the sudden or unexpected movement is seldom cap- 

 tivating, more often grotesque. But see the startled 

 stag leap up the forest glade with perfect grace and 

 ease, the poise of head and neck, the delicacy of 

 limb doubly refined in motion, swift and strong. Or 

 watch the almost lightning movements of the common 

 water wagtail on the lawn, himself the daintiest com- 

 bination of agility and grace, his rapid runs and natty 

 twists; the ever dipping tail, yet no faulty turn nor 

 ugly hop, no graceless step, every movement one of 

 refined elegance. Compare his agile, shapely form 

 with that of the tame pigeon, who clumsily struts and 

 hustles along full of awkward importance (from whom 

 could he learn such ways ?) ; 'twould almost seem as if 

 Nature had been unkind, but no, the unkindness rests 

 with us for making the comparison ; for life always 

 holds its compensations, did we but see and know 

 them. 



