"TRICKS AND MANNERS" OF A CAT-BIRD. 79 



with great interest. Occasionally he finds an 

 open drawer, into which he delights to go and 

 continue his explorations among postage-stamps 

 and bits of rubber, pencils and other small 

 things, which he throws out on the floor, with 

 always the possibility of discovering what is 

 still an enigma to him, a rubber band, to carry 

 off for his own use, as I will explain further on. 



The walls and the furniture understood, he 

 proceeded with his studies to the objects on 

 the table. A mechanical toy interested him 

 greatly. It moved easily, and the wind of his 

 wings, alighting near it the first time, joggled 

 it a little. He turned instantly, amazed to see 

 signs of life where he did not expect them. For 

 a moment he stood crouched, ready for flight if 

 the thing should make hostile demonstrations. 

 Seeing it remain still, he touched it gently with 

 his bill. The toy moved, and he sprang back. 

 In a moment it was still, and he tried again ; 

 and he did not leave it till he had fully ex- 

 hausted its possibilities in the way of motion. 



It is amusing to see how he is startled when 

 anything moves. First he is in a panic, and 

 then he coolly studies it out. On a table in 

 the room stood a " Tweed Savings Bank " be- 

 longing to one of the children. This is the fig- 

 ure of a large, sleek-looking man seated in an 

 arm-chair, and holding out one hand, which 



