312 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
He liad been the most obdurate tormenter of my Bullfincb 
in bis own proud way — but, wben be was dead, wben be 
could no longer resent bis quiet assaults, tben be mourned as 
deeply as we — 'bis cry became distressing, and ever since be 
bas been still and gentle, coming nearer to me, as if be felt 
tbat we too missed bis dead comrade, and as if we too were 
exiles from some far away bome 
Once I bad tbe skin of a Painted Fincb of full plumage — 
be recognized it instantly as a countryman — flew down to 
greet it witb tbe most delicate and plaintive cbirpings, bis 
wings rapidly flitting in sbort movements, bis wbole soul 
beaming in ecstasy from bis eye — ^bis figure croucbing and 
tbrown into curves, all expressing tbe tender joy wbicb filled 
bis bosom at tbus meeting so suddenly a countryman, wbo 
bad come too in sucb splendor of costume. 
He, poor fellow, bad yet to wait many montbs before be 
could bope to complete an entire cbange in bis own dress be- 
neatli tbe cbary rays of tbe far away sun of tbe N'ortb. 
But be tbougbt not of tbis, be saw only bere, one of bis 
kindred, one wbo liad sung many a midday bour from tbe 
topmost brancbes of some orange tree, witb bis featbers 
loosely spread to tbe warm sunbeams wbile be sung dream- 
ily in tbe intervals of bis naps, anon bursting fortb into 
clear, sbrill notes of defiance, as tbe voice of a dreamed of 
rival crept into bis slumbrous fancy. 
He saw bere only one exiled like bimself, and bis beart 
was filled witb sympatby and love — be came to bis side — be 
pecked gently at bis featbers. Ab, wbat! be will not re- 
spond. Poor disappointed Fincb. See bow be draws bis 
figure up to its utmost beigbt, and gazes at tbe motionless 
sbape before bim. Now be gives a quick tbrust witb bis 
bill, and uttering a sbort, sbrill note, percbes silently in a 
corner of bis cage. 
He will not look again at tbis deceptive emblem of 
bope and bome^ — ^bis disgust is inexpressible — be tbougbt 
to take to bis beart an embodiment of all tbe past — ^be bad 
