SUBMISSIVE TO THE INEVITABLE. 91 



bird that he was never startled out of it, not 

 even when suddenly enveloped in a shawl, a 

 proceeding that greatly alarms birds of less self- 

 possession. It was necessary on one occasion 

 to catch him to return him to his cage, where he 

 might be protected from the cold of the night. 

 All the usual ways were tried without success, 

 so lightly did he slip away, so gracefully and 

 calmly did he flutter around the room, not in the 

 least disturbed or confused by the darkness, and 

 quite willing to play hide-and-seek all night. 

 No other way availing, the last resource was 

 tried throwing a shawl over him as he stood 

 crouched on the top of the cage, ready for in- 

 stant flight. Not a flutter nor a cry arose, and 

 it seemed that he must have escaped ; but on 

 looking through the cage from below, he was 

 seen flattened against the wires, but perfectly 

 quiet, submissive to the inevitable, like any 

 other philosopher. He was gathered up in the 

 folds and carefully uncovered before his own 

 door, when he simply hopped to a perch and 

 coolly returned the gaze of his captors, not a 

 feather out of place, not in the smallest degree 

 disconcerted. 



Amusements were not lacking in this inter- 

 esting life aside from the pleasures of worrying 

 arid teasing, which plainly were entertainments 

 for him. He indulged in other performances 



