216 "THESE ARE YOUR BROTHERS." 



backward spring, turn completely over, and 

 land on the floor of the cage. His cage-mate 

 did not approve of this sort of frolic, and after 

 mildly expressing his opinion once or twice he 

 put an end to the gymnastics by a sharp re- 

 proof, accompanied by a twitch of one of the 

 offender's feathers. 



Most birds take deep interest in things going 

 on about them, as any one who has watched 

 them, wild or tame, must know. I have seen a 

 swallow hover like a great humming-bird be- 

 fore a stranger, to satisfy his curiosity regard- 

 ing him. Nothing shows difference of character 

 more plainly than the various ways of gratify- 

 ing curiosity. One is very cautious, and circles 

 around a new object a long time before touch- 

 ing it, while another flies directly to the spot, 

 and pounces upon it or tries it with the bill at 

 once. Many birds are fond of looking at 

 things outside the window, carriages, people, 

 sparrows flying about, and falling snow or rain, 

 while the appearance of a boy's kite in the air 

 never fails to put the whole roomful in a fright. 



Especially are birds interested in others of 

 their kind, and they are generally ready to help 

 with their presence and advice, if nothing else. 

 A cry of distress will bring sympathizers from 

 every quarter, and during several sparrow broils 

 I have noticed, there has always been an audi- 



