156 BIEDS 



rascal knew he was funny and gloried in it. Thinking 

 he might like a mate, I bought another jackdaw, but they 

 never even became friends. Jack Dutton never cared a 

 brass farthing about his mate. He preferred me by a 

 long way ; and if I were working near him would always 

 sidle up to me to see what I was doing, trying to take 

 the small tools from me as if he wanted to give a helping 

 hand. Three months ago he developed asthma, and 

 gradually lost his vigour, but retained his quaintness. A 

 few mornings ago I found him very poorly and weak. 

 We did our best for him, but the next day we mourned 

 the loss of a companion and a friend. 



F. MOUNSDON. 



April 11, 1908. 



NOTE. See a delightful story told by Mr. Hudson in 

 " Birds in London " (pp. 58-63) of Mr. and Mrs. Mark 

 Melford's jackdaws which they rescued from dealers, trap- 

 shooters, etc. They regarded the daw, he says, " as far 

 more intelligent, interesting and companionable than any 

 other animal." 



THE BIOGRAPHY OF A KUNNER DUCK 



In your review of a book on runner ducks you mention 

 that they have been found " as intelligent as a parrot," 

 and regret that the author has given no illustration of their 

 quality. I can fully endorse his opinion. Humphry, an 

 Indian runner drake, was given to us when six weeks old, 

 and proved through three years as intelligent, affectionate, 

 and companionable a pet as we have ever known. He had 

 no bird-companions and quickly developed a passion for 

 human society. He would escort one round the garden 

 in embarrassingly close attendance, maintaining a low 

 conversational twitter of unutterable content. His mis- 

 tress alone he distinguished by holding her skirt in his 

 beak as he walked beside her, and on her return from a 



