808 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIEDS. 
I thoiigTit liim at all events a sensible bird, and determined 
to give bim a larger cage during tbe day. I tben discovered 
that be bad been so unfortunate as to lose tbree of bis toes, 
perbaps in tbe struggles be bad made, wben be bad been 
taken prisoner, by means of tbe deceitful bird-limed twig, 
so tbat be was almost incapable of resistance if one cbose to 
catcb bim wbile in tbe cage, for in bis efforts to cling to tbe 
percb, be was apt to lose bis bold and tumble to tbe bottom 
of tbe cage, and tben be would only croucb in a corner, and 
witb bis brigbt black eye, and beseecbing cbirp, pray to be 
left at peace. 
For a week or more I took but little notice of bim, only 
admiring bis irresistible song ; for be became so cbeerful as 
to sing to us once or twice during tbe twenty-four bours. 
One afternoon, bowever, I caugbt myself mimicking tbe 
droll wbistle, witb wbicb be would break bis song ; and 
wbicb bad precisely tbe sound we express by tbe wbew — ■ 
o — o — o ! wben we make wbat we know to be some ludicrous 
mistake. 
He instantly rejDcated it more slowly. I tried again and 
again, till be seemed satisfied, and commenced tbe first bar 
of a strain of German music, and tben paused 1 I looked 
up. "Wbat, do you mean to teacb me your song?" 
He repeated tbe notes, and I essayed to reproduce tbem ; 
my effort, bowever, seemed to amuse tbe young master, for be 
drew out to its fullest extent bis wbew — ew — o — o — o — o ! 
But instantly commenced tbe bar again. By tbis tim.e I bad 
become tborougbly interested, and not liking to be laugbed at, 
made a more successful effort. Tbis time Bob seemed bet- 
ter satisfied, and added a few more notes. Wben I bad 
acbieved tbose, be repeated all and put me to tbe test, and so 
on tbrougb bis wbole song ; every few moments, bowever, 
evidently beartily enjoying tbe fantastic mistakes wbicb I 
made, and uttering bis wbistle in tbe most provokingly sar- 
castic tone. I was greatly amused, and related tbe story 
witb great gusto on Mr. Webber's return. 
