TEASING THE THRUSH. 83 



standing on the ladder before his door, appar- 

 ently working himself up to something. He 

 first looked at me, — I had a book, and pre- 

 tended not to see him, — then at the thrush, 

 who was on the floor as usual; he jerked his 

 body this way and that, puffed out his feathers, 

 especially on the throat and breast, held his 

 tail on one side and turned upward at an angle 

 of forty-five degrees, which gave him a wicked 

 expression. He looked full of life to the tips 

 of his toes, and greatly excited. The other 

 birds observed him ; the Mexican in his cage 

 rustled his wings, jerked his body, and at last 

 gave his usual cry. Even the little goldfinch 

 was impressed and looked on with interest. 



All this agitation did not escape the notice 

 of the bird on the floor, who stood silent, plainly 

 understanding, and waiting for the next move. 

 Finally the mocking-bird started, gracefully and 

 without haste. He first flew easily and lightly 

 to the desk, in a moment to the back of a chair, 

 then deliberately to an arm, next to the seat, 

 and lastly to a round ; at each step pausing, 

 shaking himself, and threatening. When he 

 reached the floor, he ran a few, steps toward 

 the thrush, stopped short, erected himself very 

 straight, and puffed out as big as possible ; 

 then another little run, and the operation was 

 repeated. He proceeded till within a foot of 



