SHABP EYES 51 



He made no effort to escape, but planted his claws in 

 my forefinger and clung there with a grip that soon 

 grew uncomfortable. I placed him in the loft of an 

 outhouse, in hopes of getting better acquainted with 

 him. By day he was a very willing prisoner, scarcely 

 moving at all, even when approached and touched 

 with the hand, but looking out upon the world with 

 half-closed, sleepy eyes. But at night what a change ! 

 how alert, how wild, how active ! He was like an- 

 other bird; he darted about with wide, fearful eyes, 

 and regarded me like a cornered cat. I opened the 

 window, and swiftly, but as silent as a shadow, he 

 glided out into the congenial darkness, and perhaps, 

 ere this, has revenged himself upon the sleeping jay 

 or bluebird that first betrayed his hiding-place. 



