EYE-BEAMS 119 



one of fheir number, doubtless for some crime. I 

 have several times seen sparrows suspended in this 

 way about their nesting and roosting places. Acci- 

 dents happen to birds as well as to other folks. But 

 they do not yet imitate us in the matter of capital 

 punishment. 



One day I saw a little bush sparrow fluttering 

 along in the grass, disabled in some way, and a large 

 number of its mates flitting and calling about it. I 

 captured the bird, and, in doing so, its struggles in 

 my hand broke the bond that held it — some kind 

 of web or silken insect thread that tied together the 

 quills of one wing. When I let it fly away, all its 

 mates followed it as if wondering at the miracle that 

 had been wrought. They no doubt experienced 

 some sort of emotion. Birds sympathize with each 

 other in their distress, and will make common cause 

 against an enemy. Crows will pursue and fight a 

 tame crow. They seem to look upon him as an 

 alien and an enemy. He is never so shapely and 

 bright and polished as his wild brother. He is 

 more or less demoralized, and has lost caste. Prob- 

 ably a pack of wolves would in the same way de- 

 stroy a tame wolf, should such an one appear in their 

 midst. The wild creatures are human, — with a 

 difference, a wide difi'erence. They have the keen- 

 est powers of perception, — what observers they are ! 

 how quickly they take a hint — but they have little 

 or no powers of reflection. The crows do not meet 

 in parliaments and caucuses, as has been fancied, 

 and try offenders, and discuss the tariff, or consider 



