KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



147 



lifting the lid of the box, he was found to be 

 sufficiently recovered to make some vigorous 

 efforts to escape. . Finding these however 

 unsuccessful, he became very sulky, and 

 would not eat; but he chattered at a great 

 rate if any one touched his box. It being 

 now evident that he was not likely to die, we 

 set to work to make him a cage ; and, after 

 a couple of days' labor, succeeded in con- 

 structing a handsome dwelling, three feet and 

 a half in length, and divided into three 

 portions. The first consisted of a square box 

 with a lid, containing his bed ; and at one 

 end was a hole, in front of which his feeding- 

 trough roofed with wire, was firmly attached. 

 The second division was rather larger than 

 his sleeping apartment, and communicated 

 with it. The sides and roof were formed of 

 wire, and had an opening into his revolving 

 cage, which was a cylinder of wire ten inches 

 in diameter, and nearly two feet in length. 



When we had finished our job, and the 

 varnish had become dry, we proceeded to 

 instal him in his habitation. This was a very 

 difficult affair, for he used his teeth in the 

 most determined manner on everything 

 within his reach ; but at last, after many 

 attempts with our hands well wrapped up in 

 handkerchiefs, we succeeded in catching him 

 by the back of his neck, and deposited him in 

 his new domicile, in spite of his energetic efforts 

 to prevent it. Here he remained the whole 

 of the day, and could not be induced to show 

 himself, though we placed nuts, &c, in his 

 room (between his sleeping place and revolv- 

 ing cage). 



Next morning he set out to inspect his 

 new dwelling, and soon found his way into 

 the " revolver." Here he was regularly 

 " adrift," for the open appearance of the 

 wire-work induced him to try to get out ; but 

 the '•' revolver " shifting with his motions, 

 made it very difficult for him to keep his 

 feet. He then made a rush to get out 

 towards the window (in the recess of which 

 his cage was placed) ; but not having had 

 any discipline at this species of " treadmill," 

 after letting it turn once or twice, he held 

 fast to it, and was whirled round several 

 times in succession. After about an hour's 

 strenuous exertions, he beg<m to find that it 

 was needful for him to quicken his motions, 

 and save his nose, which got soundly rapped 

 as each wooden bar (of which there were 

 six to keep the ends apart) came into con- 

 tact with it. 



It was very amusing to observe how care- 

 fully he would begin to turn it ; at the same 

 time hopping gently in the direction he 

 wished it to revolve. This was always 

 towards the window. When it had reached 

 a pretty rapid motion, he frequently missed 

 his step, and was carried round several times 

 before he could stop. He would then " bolt" 



into his sleeping box, and sit with his head 

 out of the hoie. 



After he had been with us about a fort- 

 night, we began to try if he would become 

 sociable, and eat from our hands. To accom- 

 plish this, we kept him on short commons ; 

 and when he came out from his berth 

 would offer him a nut or an acorn. We 

 were now delighted to find that he would, 

 after a few trials, take what we offered him ; 

 though directly he obtained it, he would 

 withdraw to his berth. This we were 

 anxious to prevent ; and on his next appear- 

 ance, he was enticed into his " revolver." 

 This was immediately shifted, so that he 

 could not get out of it ; and an acorn was 

 offered to him ; this he took from our fingers 

 and then tried to escape into his box, but as 

 he could not make his exit, he became very 

 sulky, dropped his acorn, and remained 

 above five minutes in one position, — 

 squeaking loudly. We picked up the acorn, 

 and again offered it to him ; but this time it 

 was indignantly refused, and it was long 

 before we could induce him to accept it. 

 At last he got the better of his temper, took 

 his acorn, and immediately sat up to eat it ; 

 though whilst doing so, his fine, full, black 

 ey r e was fixed suspiciously upon us. He 

 would on our slightest movement stop 

 eating, and try to get to his berth ; but he 

 did not now drop his acorn. When he had 

 eaten several, we let him go to his berth, 

 where he remained some time. He then 

 came out, and began exercising his "revol- 

 ver," in the use of which he had much im- 

 proved ; being now able to start it, and 

 stop it, without any trouble. In fact, he 

 spent most of his time in it, and became out- 

 rageous if one prevented him from spinning 

 it round. 



One day, I brought in a cob of the Indian 

 corn (known as " Cobbett's " corn) and 

 offered him a few grains. On tasting them, 

 he became quite excited, chattering away 

 at a great rate ; and when he had finished 

 them, he climbed up the side of his cage, next 

 to where I stood, evidently trying to get 

 more. I thought this would be a favorable 

 opportunity to try what amount of confidence 

 he reposed in us ; so I opened his box and 

 stood quite still, waiting until he made his 

 appearance. This he did not seem disposed 

 to do, so long as he could see the corn. I 

 therefore shifted my position, and stood on 

 the other side, out of his sight. As soon as 

 he saw me change my position, he entered 

 his box ; and seeing the lid open, was soon on 

 the outside. At first he was a little surprised 

 at finding himself so close to me ; but the 

 sight of the Indian corn (which I held in my 

 hand), soon overcame his bashfulness ; and he 

 forthwith mounted to my hand, and there sat 

 very contentedly eating some of it. 



