THE LANGUAGE OP BIRDS. 
51 
cage, for the purpose of thoroughly cleaning out the 
one he had been in, and, after having done so, hung 
it out in the garden. The stranger bird came as 
usual, but, finding the cage empty, flew away again. 
For several days following, he paid his accustomed 
visit to the cage ; and one day, the door having by 
some accident come open, I saw him very deliberately 
go in, and regale himself with the seeds. The next 
day he repeated his visit, when I shut the door upon 
him ; at first he did not seem much to like his con- 
finement, but upon my putting him in a large cage, 
with his acquaintance, he appeared to be perfectly 
satisfied and reconciled to his captivity, and sung 
most delightfully. About three months after, having 
one day opened the cage door, to give them some 
water to wash with, (which I observe so many small 
birds delight in,) my gentleman made his escape ; 
the window being open, he flew out, and perched 
upon a pear tree in the garden, where he immediately 
commenced his sweetest song. I used every means 
to entice him back, but without effect; his com- 
panion in the cage seemed to lament him much, — 
would scarcely eat, and ceased to sing, — when, on the 
third day from the other bird's escaping, the window 
of the room where I keep my little favourites being 
