The Devoted Affection of Birds. 



105 



poor little bird had been long in declining- health, and was, at 

 that moment, very ill. Sir William, full of sorrow, went into 

 the room where the cage was, and, opening the door, put in his 

 hand, and spoke to the bird. The poor little creature recog- 

 nised his voice, opened his eyes, shook his feathers, staggered 

 on to his finger, piped ' God save the king,' and fell down 

 dead." 



We see in the piping bull-finch — a bird which in its educa- 

 tion is closely associated with man — the deep and devoted 

 affection of which it is capable ; and if we could only live with 

 the animal creation as their friends and benefactors, we should 

 no longer be surprised by such instances of their intelligence 

 and love. 



-aiii 





Mi 





