182 THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
first begins to imitate sounds, that it is impossible 
not to be amused by it. When let to fly about a 
room, it is one of the most entertaining and courage- 
ous little creatures. One that I have will fight with 
birds twice his size, and is so saucy and independent 
that, after well dusting himself, he always flies and 
perches directly over some other bird, while he 
shakes the sand out of his feathers, as if he did it 
on purpose to annoy. Like the goldfinch, the red- 
pole is easily taught many amusing tricks. In a 
cage, it is constantly in motion, running along the 
perch, and turning with a rapidity, as if he were 
waltzing. Bechstein observes — " The mutual ten- 
derness of the male and female is very pleasing; 
they are continually caressing each other with their 
bills, and even do the same to siskins, linnets, gold- 
finches, and canaries, from which it appears very 
likely that they would pair with these birds The 
redpole is a great duster, and will, for half an hour 
at a time, flutter and shake the sand about him in a 
shower, when he is out of his cage. The red on the 
top of his head, in confinement, is perfectly smooth, 
but when at liberty, he erects it, like the jay, which 
gives him a very knowing look. 
