VIRGINIA GROWS UNEASY. 213 



sort of " e-up," with a jerk on the second syl- 

 lable. Though a common enough sound for a 

 cardinal, this plainly meant more than was ap- 

 parent to human spectators. Virginia at once 

 grew uneasy, hopped across the upper perches, 

 and when her nervousness became too great 

 dashed down past him, though he was partly in 

 the doorway, and into her own cage, where she 

 resumed her restless jumps. He was not pleased 

 with her reception of his attentions ; he sat a 

 long time in that attitude, perfectly still, per- 

 haps meditating what step he should take next, 

 glancing at her meanwhile over his shoulder, 

 but not stirring a feather. Time passed, and 

 he came to a decision of some sort, which was 

 shown by a change of position. He turned 

 around, and took his seat on the corresponding 

 perch in her cage, just before the door. This 

 impressed Virginia ; she stopped her hopping 

 and looked over at him with an air of wonder- 

 ing what he would do next. What he did was 

 to hop one step nearer, to the middle perch. 

 Upon this she abandoned her place, came to 

 the floor, and began to eat in the most indiffer- 

 ent manner ; then passed into his cage, then 

 back to the floor of her own, still eating, while 

 he sat silent and motionless on the middle 

 perch, evidently much disturbed by her con- 

 duct. After an hour of this performance he 

 retired to her upper perch, and stayed there. 



