BIRDS IN A VILLAGE 27 



at my head, just brushing it with his wings, then 

 returned to his perch. At intervals of a few 

 moments he repeated this action, and when I re- 

 marked that he probably resented the presence 

 of a stranger, Melford exclaimed, "Oh, no, he 

 wants to play with you — that's all." 



His manner of playing was rather startling. 

 So long as I Kept my eyes on him he remained 

 motionless, but the instant my attention wandered, 

 or when in speaking I looked at my companion, 

 the sudden violent dash at my head would be 

 made. 



I was assured by Melford that his birds never 

 carried off and concealed bright objects, a habit 

 which it has been said the jay, as well as the mag- 

 pie, possesses. 



"What would he do with this shilling if I tossed 

 it to him?" I asked. 



"Catch it," he returned. "It would simply be 

 play to him, but he wouldn't carry it off." 



I tossed up the shilling, and the bird had per- 

 haps expected me to do so, as he deftly caught it 

 just as a dog catches a biscuit when you toss one 

 to him. After keeping It a few moments in his 

 beak, he put it down at his side. I took out four 



