6o THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



had for many years. When not quite able to fly pro- 

 perly, he had been pounced upon by one of the cats; but 

 was rescued, and, soon recovering from the fright, grew 

 to be a beauty and a great favourite with us all. We 

 never attempted to teach him to speak ; but his natural 

 powers of mimicry were extraordinary. He imitated 

 the notes or cries of other birds to perfection. When 

 the weather was fine, his cage was slung up out of 

 doors, where he enjoyed immensely the sunshine and 

 fresh air, and had ample opportunities for exercising 

 his peculiar gift. The whistle of the curlew and ringed 

 plover — the plaintive song of the long-tailed duck — 

 the croak of the raven — the caw of the hooded crow — 

 the wild scream of the seamew — the sharp chatter of 

 the tern, he perfectly reproduced. We had a mountain 

 linnet at the same time, an exceedingly sweet songster. 

 As soon as the latter commenced his morning song, 

 Jack the starling began to fidget about and ruffle up 

 his feathers, and work himself into a state of anger and 

 indignation most amusing to witness. Presently he 

 seemed to come to the conclusion that the linnet was 

 either chaffing or challenging him ; and as such a thing 

 was not to be endured by such a very superior bird as 

 himself, he resolved not to be outdone; so, settling 

 himself on his perch, and drawing in his head between 

 his shoulders till he appeared to have no neck at all, 

 he poured forth a song so exactly after the linnet fashion 

 and on the linnet key, that the imitation was pro- 

 nounced as good as the original. But the exertion 

 seemed to be great and fatiguing, and was seldom 



