^27"^ CLASS AYES. 



down, as if dead, was put into a little wheelbarrow, and 

 wheeled away by one of its comrades, and several of the birds 

 were at the same time placed on a little firework, and con- 

 tinued there quietly, and without alarm, until it was dis- 

 charged." Such facts prove the wonderful intelligence of the 

 birds, and the exceeding patience of those who instruct them. 



If the young beauty derives amusement from this charming 

 bird, and observes in its little household management the 

 example of those delicate attentions which a growing family 

 requires ; if it charms the ennui of the cloister, and cheers 

 the labours of the sedentary artist, it is not less agreeable to 

 the aged, who find in its society a consolation in their suffer- 

 ings ; while its amiable liveliness and docility awaken in 

 their hearts that gaiety which had been banished thence by 

 the weight of years. 



This little musician has at times its fits of suUenness and 

 anger ; but these are neither hurtful nor offensive. Still 

 it ought to be managed with caution ; for caresses, too much 

 repeated, will on some occasions raise its anger to that pitch 

 that it sometimes becomes the victim of it. Its vocal powers 

 are so flexible, that it will learn to speak, and to whistle the 

 most melodious airs. Words and phrases of the most ten- 

 der kind are those which it learns to repeat and pronounce 

 with the greatest facility. Of all birds it contributes 

 most tp the pleasures of society, and takes the greatest 

 share in them. The nightingale astonishes us by the re- 

 sources of its incomparable organ, interests by the variety 

 of its tonesf, and even ravishes the eai' by its brilliant 

 and rapid execution ; but, proud of its talent, it seems to 

 disdain everything foreign, or, at all events, it is ynth the 

 utmost difficulty that it is brought to learn any lessons. More- 

 over, the charm of its voice continues only during a few 

 months ; and to enjoy it in all its brilliancy and perfection, 

 it must be heard in the woods, in the silence of night. Once 

 become our prisoner, and shut up in our apartments, its song 



