208 "THESE ARE YOUR BROTHERS." 



The element of mischief, of caprice, and prac- 

 tical joking is well represented by a cat-bird ; 

 or was, until he grew unhappy and a window 

 was opened to give him liberty. No more 

 tricksy spirit ever dwelt in human frame : de- 

 lighting in pranks, teasing the smaller birds, 

 working confusion in desk drawers or sewing- 

 baskets, performing a war-dance, with appropri- 

 ate screams, on top of the cardinal's cage, and 

 exulting in his helpless frenzy. This bird was 

 not quite affectionate, not absolutely trustful ; 

 he would alight on my hand for food, being, 

 however, so wary and alert that he was as se- 

 cure from surprise as though he stood on a tree; 



Easy-going amiability is the prominent char- 

 acteristic of another goldfinch. He submitted 

 meekly to the tyranny of his cage-mate, ate 

 only when he had eaten, bathed only when he 

 had finished, till, growing bold by success, the 

 autocrat waxed domineering, when the victim 

 suddenly roused himself, became aggressive, as- 

 serted his right to the conveniences of the 

 household, and, as in human society under sim- 

 ilar circumstances, carried everything before 

 him. 



The manners of " these our brothers " are as 

 individual as their tempers. Nothing is more 

 impressive than the dignity of the thrush fam- 

 ily ; no vulgar haste or fussiness, no ignoble 



