"GENERAL BEM," THE CAT- BIRD. 245 



upon my arm and sleep, lie would get into my workbox, and while I watched that he did not 

 pUfer a little, he would quietly seat himself upon its edge, and in a low sweet voice lull my 

 suspicions by such tender melodies, that finally I could no longer say, ' I will not love you, 

 Bern ! ' but gave him the satisfactory assurance that he was not quite so much of a tease as I 

 had tried to think him ; and he now received my daily offering of small spiders and worms 

 with gestures of evident pleasure. 



" These were always jjresented to him enveloped in white paper, which he carefully opened, 

 and secui'ed his prey before it could escape, even though it was sometimes a difficult task to 

 keep his \ igilant eye upon so many — apparently escapading— when I was called to the field, 

 and appointing me a station, I was expected to give the alann when one attempted to get away 

 on my side, which he immediately killed and dropped, and then darted after those on the 

 outskirts of the field of action. 



"At last, one day, Mr. Webber brought for my sister a Wood -thrush, which was very 

 wild and savage, and was, besides, extremely ugly, but had the reputation of being a good 

 singer, which made us forgive his sullen temper, and hope to win him back to more gentle 

 ways, when he should see that we would be his friends, and that he should be almost free ; 

 hesides, General Bem was much inclined to make his acquaintance, and took the first occasion 

 to pay him a visit in his cage-house. This the stranger did not fancy and drove him out. 

 Bem resented this, by turning on the threshold and pouring forth a torrent of screams and 

 mewings, whicli came near distracting the poor Tlirush, who darted at him and chased him to 

 the bed, under which Bem darted, and was secure for the present. 



" But from that time there were no more overtures of friendsliip, they were sworn enemies ; 

 the Thrush from detestation of the impudent fellow who invaded liis residence, and finally 

 appropriated it, to the entire desertion of his own, which, by-the-bye, was much larger, and 

 with which the Thrush eventually consoled himself, and Bem continued to occupy, because it 

 amused him to pester the ill-natured fellow, which he had set down the Thrush to be. Many 

 were the quaint scenes whicli now daily occurred. 



' ' If Bem desired to take a bath, the Thrush would endeavor to push him out ; but Bem 

 was not to be ousted in that style if he could prevent it, and commonly sent the poor Thrush 

 away in consternation, his musical ear stunned by such direful din as threatened to rend his 

 delicate heart as well as tympaniim. Never shall I forget one droll scene. One day Bem found 

 on the floor a white grape, which he seemed to be disposed comfortably to discuss, after having 

 rolled it out into the broad sunshine. Just at this moment the Thrush stepped up in a cool 

 and dignified manner, and carried the grape off ; drojiped it in the shade, and deliberately 

 drawing up one foot among his feathers, seemed to say, ' I claim the grape as my own ; I stand 

 on the defensive ; come and get it if you dare ! ' so closed the ' off ' eye and looked as if the 

 matter Avas settled to his entire satisfaction. 



"Bem had been in the very act of pecking the grape when it was so unceremoniously 

 withdrawn ; he drew himself up on tiptoe fairly with astonishment, his eye seemed to grow 

 larger and rounder, the feathers on his liead stood alternately erect and clung close to the 

 scalp ; he stood a moment or two, and then with a loud ' mew ' darted forward to recapture 

 the stolen fruit, but the Thrush coolly and silently met him with open mouth and body 

 thrown forward, yet stiU covering the grape. Bem's wit returned to him — he quietly turned 

 off, as if it was a small matter anyhow. 



" We were astonished. Was Bem a coward after all? would he permit this bird, even 

 if he was larger, to impose upon him in this fashion, and he able to whip mocking-birds 

 at that ? We shook our heads ; if Bem does that, we shall vsdthdraw his laurels. But see ! 

 he comes cautiously about the Thrush— what does he mean ? ah, we perceive ; Bem has 

 sagaciously only changed his tactics, we will watch him ; he thinks the Tlirush will want 

 some dinner pretty soon, and then, as Bem disdains to be called quarrelsome, he will quietly 

 appropriate his treasure. 



"Four hours things retained this position, the Thrush never moving more than six 

 inches from his post, though evidently becoming hungry and weary, while Bem silently 

 wandered about the room, feasting in the most provokingly cool way in both cages, and 



