BIRD CURIOS. 39 



flitted to a perch to dry their bedraggled feathers 

 and carefully arrange their dainty toilets.* 



Besides, it has been my chance to witness my 

 little confidant, Bewick's wren, taking a dust-bath, 

 which he did in this manner : he would squat flat 

 on his belly on the ground in the lane, completely 

 hiding his feet, and then glide about rapidly and 

 smoothly over the little undulations, stirring the dust 

 in volatile cloudlets. Never have I seen any per- 

 formance, even in the bird realm so varied and 

 versatile, more absolutely charming ; so charming, 

 indeed, that I believe my brief description of it 

 will fittingly bring this rambling chapter on " Bird 

 Curios " to a close. 



* Long after this statement had appeared in print, Mr. 

 Bradford Torrey described, in the " Atlantic Monthly," a 

 similar performance which he witnessed in Florida; and, 

 rather oddly, myrtle warblers were also the actors in this 

 instance. 



