808 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIEDS. 
I thought him at all events a sensible bird, and determined 
to give him a larger cage during the day. I then discovered 
that he had been so unfortunate as to lose three of his toes, . 
perhaps in the struggles he had made, when he had been 
taken prisoner, by means of the deceitful bird-limed twig, 
so that he was almost incapable of resistance if one chose to 
catch him while in the cage, for in his efforts to cling to the 
perch, he was apt to lose his hold and tumble to the bottom 
of the cage, and then he would only crouch in a corner, and 
with his bright black eye, and beseeching chirp, pray to be 
left at peace. 
For a week or more I took but little notice of him, only 
admiring his irresistible song ; for he became so cheerful as 
to sing to us once or twice during the twenty -four hours. 
One afternoon, however, I caught myself mimicking the 
droll whistle, with which he would break his song ; and 
which had precisely the sound we express by the whew — 
o — o — o ! when we make what we know to be some ludicrous 
mistake. 
He instantly repeated it more slowly. I tried again and 
again, till he seemed satisfied, and commenced the first bar 
of a strain of German music, and then paused ! I looked 
lip. "What, do you mean to teach me your song?" 
He repeated the notes, and I essayed to reproduce them ; 
my effort, however, seemed to amuse the young master, for he 
drew out to its fullest extent his whew — ew — o — o — o — o ! 
But instantly commenced the bar again. By this tim^e I had 
become thoroughly interested, and not liking to be laughed at, 
made a more successful effort. This time Bob seemed bet- 
ter satisfied, and added a few more notes. When I had 
achieved those, he repeated all and put me to the test, and so 
on through his whole song ; every few moments, however, 
evidently heartily enjoying the fantastic mistakes which I 
made, and uttering his whistle in the most provokingly sar- 
castic tone. I was greatly amused, and related the story 
with great gusto on Mr. Webber's return. 
