464 BOHEMIAN CHATTERER. 
thicket, where one immediately disappeared, while the other took its 
station on the top of a spruce, from which its sumple tze tze tze was ut-~ 
tered with the greatest vehemence, as if calling on its companions to 
hasten from the danger which it had recently escaped. Seeing the bird 
so very watchful, we made a small circuit with the view of diverting 
its attention, and at the same time of looking for the one by which 
it was accompanied, as I conceived it to be severely wounded, from 
the apparent difficulty of its flight. After a careful examination of 
the bush we at length observed it upon a Jow twig, and from its in- 
attention to the calls of its mate, and the cowering position in which it 
sat, I concluded that it was unable to make another’ attempt to escape. 
Giving it an occasional glance, we turned towards the other, which 
still retained its former station on the top of the spruce, though its un- 
easiness seemed to increase at every step. While the man was cau- 
tiously working his way through the thick alder, in order to get within 
shot, I carefully examined the bird, which certainly presented a very in- 
teresting object. It stood almost as upright as the top on which it was 
perched, its height being much increased by its long and graceful crest 
being quite erect, while at the same time its wings were kept in a constant 
jerking motion, as if in readiness to remove at a moment’s notice. In- 
dependent of the mere beauty of the bird, there was something deeply in- 
teresting in the anxiety for the safety of its mate, so touchingly displayed 
by the force and rapidity of its simple but affectionate warning. The mo- 
tion of the alders frightened the bird, and I had the mortification of see- 
ing it rise in the air, as if about to commence a lofty and long-continued 
flight. Unwilling to give it up, I watched its progress with longing eyes, 
but at last, when about turning away in despair, it suddenly wheeled 
about, dashed by with great velocity, gently brushed its companion, 
and thus by dispelling its stupor induced it to make another effort to 
escape the danger which threatened its destruction. Though surprised 
and delighted with this singular display of fidelity and affection, I felt 
not a little disappointed to see them both about to elude our grasp. 
The weakness of the wounded bird, however, soon induced it to seek 
concealment in another thicket, while the other, still faithful to a 
friend in distress, alighted as formerly on a spruce top, whence it could 
both see and warn it of approaching danger. As we again drew near, 
its anxiety seemed to be redoubled, while its notes were uttered with 
corresponding quickness and energy ; but before we could get within 
