162 TALES AND TRAITS OF SPORTING LIFE. 



THE LOVE BIRD. 



" Kara avis in terris." 



"Oil, Willie dear^ before you g-o, I want a 

 favour." 



'' Well, wliat is it now ?" said Willie, in a gTuff good- 

 tempered sort of way, as if he was ratlier used to hearing 

 of these ' favours.' Willie was an officier de Dragons, 

 six foot three, with a great yellow, well-twisted mous- 

 tache, and looking altogether just what he was — " a 

 swell" and a gentleman. 



<'What is it, now?" asked Wilhe. 



*' Oh, please, then, don't be angry, but I've heard 

 so^ much about them — and before you leave town, 

 I shoidd like it so much — you can get them in 

 town, I know ; and I only want one, just one — you 

 know." 



^' No, but I don't know, you know. Come out with it, 

 Polly— what is it?" 



'^ Well, then — here, ichisper — I want a Cochin China, 

 please, sir." 



Willie's weakness was a little, round-figured, light- 



