GIVING UP THE WORLD. 227 



quickly retired to the top of a cage, where he 

 stood a long time. Afterward also, the gold- 

 finch showed so strong a determination that 

 the intruder should not enjoy his beloved bath, 

 that at last I had to keep him in his cage while 

 the new-comer had a chance at the water. 



This did not go on long, however, for very 

 soon the tanager deliberately gave up the 

 world of the bird-room, and insisted on remain- 

 ing in his cage. In vain was his door set open 

 with the others, in vain did the birds splash 

 and splatter the water, he would not come out, 

 though he did not mope or lose his appetite. 

 In truth, it seemed merely as if he scorned the 

 advantages offered ; if he could not go out free 

 into the trees, he would as lief stay in his cage 

 and he did. This is a not uncommon habit 

 of cage birds. They often need to be driven 

 or coaxed out. Having once learned that the 

 cage is home with all its comforts and conven- 

 iences, they prefer to be there. 



The tanager was always a very shy bird ; he 

 did not like to be looked at. If he could man- 

 age it, he would never eat while any one saw 

 him. Often, when I put a bit of apple or a 

 meal-worm in his cage, he stood and looked at 

 it and at me, but did not move till I turned 

 away, or walked out of his sight, when he 

 instantly pounced upon it as if starved. To 



