SOME BIRDS 



as much fun in the guineas. The first time he 

 tried it, however, instead of running away, the 

 guineas lined up before him like soldiers, and 

 advanced with their saw-sharpening cry on the 

 cocker. He stood his ground for a moment, 

 looking at them in astonishment, and then, before 

 their noisy advance, he turned tail and fled. It 

 was the only time I ever saw this little dog run 

 from anything ; but the cheers of the guineas and 

 their martial aspect were too much for him. 

 Then the guineas got to dusting themselves in 

 the flower-beds, and their doom was sealed. 



Next came a peacock^ who was beautiful to 

 look upon, but he had an objectionable habit or 

 two, in the opinion of some. He would roost 

 on a limb of the highest birch-tree he could find 

 or upon the roof of the house, and through the 

 night he would claw at the shingles in a way that 

 was most alarming and disturbing to the sleepers 

 below. This was not so bad, of course, for I 

 happened to sleep on the first floor ; but when 

 this big bird sang, every one within a mile was 

 forced to hear him. Al Wilbur took a special 

 interest in the bird, and the peacock seemed to 

 return his affection, for if he said anything un- 

 derstandable at all, it was clearly, " O^h ! Al ! " 



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