IN A STATE OF CAPTIVITY. 175 
chirps, the Grenadier Grosbeak threw itself into one 
of its most menacing attitudes, in order to intimidate 
the insolent aggressor ; but, notwithstanding all these 
formidable indications of resistance, it was compelled 
to yield the object of contention to its more power- 
ful adversary, which, after carrying it about the 
cage for a short time, became tired of the amusement 
and suffered it to drop, when it was instantly seized 
by the vigilant Grenadier Grosbeak. This was the 
signal for a renewal of hostilities, and several species 
of Fringille and Loxie joined eagerly in the affray ; 
while a few grave-looking birds, belonging to the 
genera Paleornis, Platycercus, and Psittacula, sat 
on the upper perches, passive spectators of the tur- 
bulent scene below. At length, by dint of perse- 
verance, the Grenadier Grosbeak again succeeded 
in gaining possession of the thread, one extremity 
of which it immediately proceeded to attach to the 
wires of the cage. After accomplishing its object 
by the employment of the bill alone, it passed the 
other end of the thread through one of the intervals 
between the wires, directing it towards the adjoining 
interval on the right; then quitting hold of it, and 
inserting its bill into the latter interval, it again 
seized the thread near its extremity, drew it through 
the opening and pulled it tight. In this manner it 
interwove the whole of the thread among the wires 
of the cage, with a quickness and dexterity quite 
surprising; and so delighted was the feathered 
