EXCITEMENT OF THE BATH. 151 



edge, make a dash at the water, and back off 

 as if it were hot, or to give a hop into the mid- 

 dle of the water and out again so quickly that 

 one could hardly believe he touched it. When, 

 after all this ceremony, he did go in to stay, he 

 made most thorough work, splashing in a fran- 

 tic way, as though he had but a moment to 

 stay, and in one minute getting more soaked 

 than many birds ever do. After this short dip 

 he dashed out, flew to a perch, and in the mad- 

 dest way jerked and shook himself dry ; pulling 

 his feathers through his beak with a snap, and 

 making a peculiar sound which I can liken only 

 to the rubbing of machinery that needs oil. 



The brown thrush was never so violent and 

 eccentric in movement as just after his bath. 

 Allowing himself often but a moment's hasty 

 shake of plumage, he darted furiously across 

 the room, startling every bird, and alighting no 

 one could guess where. Then, after more jerks 

 and rapid shakings, he flung himself as unex- 

 pectedly in another direction, while at every 

 fresh turn birds scattered wildly, everywhere, 

 anywhere, out of his way, bringing up in the 

 most unaccustomed places ; as, for instance, a 

 dignified bird, who never went to the floor, 

 coming to rest under the bed, or a ground-lover 

 flattened against the side of a cage. All this 

 disturbance seemed to please the thrasher, for 



