216 TREATISE ON 



a strong attachment to a bullfinch, and the bullfinch 

 returned it. They hung in opposite sides of the same 

 window for a long period; but their attachment 

 commenced shortly after their cages were placed 

 together. We had, besides those two friends, some 

 canaries, mule-birds, giey linnets, and goldfinches. 

 This green linnet was realh^ a wonderful little 

 creature. Birds often acquire astonishing tricks ; 

 but they perform tliem in a mechanical manner 

 like automatons : Our green linnet, howcA er, in 

 all liis actions, seemed to be regulated by some- 

 thing approaching to reason. ¥/e used sometimes 

 to let these birds out of their cages all together in 

 a room at one time. The g3*een linnet paid no 

 marked attention to any of them, except the 

 bullfinch, unless when the birds were fighting; 

 and even then merely to put an end to the quarrel, 

 and punish the aggressor. It was a strong, powerful, 

 and spirited bird; but no bully, — not in the least 

 quarrelsome. It submitted to the petty insults of the 

 mule-birds, &c. with great magnanimitj^ and temper, 

 — affording a beautiful lesson to hot-headed, sill)^- 

 minded man. A strong understanding tends to curb 

 every vice ; while ungovernable passion and quar- 

 relsomeness, &c. always spring from some weakness 

 in the mind. Some ^dce that puts on the semblance 



