DIGNIFIED AND PERSISTENT. 249 



gale through the crack between the sashes, 

 would not make him desert it. Driving him 

 away from the spot had not the slightest effect 

 on him, he returned the moment he was left in 

 peace. Thinking that another cage was more 

 convenient for his use, nothing short of absolute 

 . shutting the door would keep him out of it. 

 Nor did he forget about it either ; if the door 

 was accidentally left open, after being closed 

 for weeks, he entered as quickly as though he 

 had been in every day. 



This bird never showed any playfulness of 

 disposition ; indeed, he had too much dignity to 

 do so. He never flew around the room as 

 though he liked to use his wings, although they 

 were perfect, and there was nothing to prevent 

 if he chose. Nor did he display curiosity about 

 his surroundings. The only things he appeared 

 to notice were the doings of the birds and peo- 

 ple in the room, and the moving panorama 

 without, which latter he always viewed with 

 equanimity, although the sound of a hand-organ 

 aroused him to a sort of mild fury.« 



As spring advanced, the beautiful grosbeak 

 grew tuneful and often added his exquisite song 

 to the rippling music of the small thrushes, and 

 — with a little stretch of the imagination as to 

 its duration — 



" Trilled from out his carmine breast, 

 His happy breast, the lirelong day." 



