THE CARPENTER OF THE WOODS. 89 
should be able to tame it. But no prisoner 
in a state fortress was ever known to make 
more determined efforts to escape, than did 
this child of the forest. He lost no time 
in fluttering about, but began to attack 
the wicker bars with his strong bill. He 
rattled, and shook, and battered them with 
such violence, that in a few minutes he had 
got out, and ran about uttering a cry some- 
thing like the cackling of a hen. 
The traveller mended the cage, and put 
him back again; but it was of no use. Every 
morning he was sure to find him climbing up 
the chairs, or running along the floor ; and he 
was so dexterous in his movements, it was 
rather a difficult matter to catch him. He 
did catch him, however, and shut him up in a 
strong wire cage. Then the bird seemed to 
give up all hopes of making his escape, and 
appeared to get reconciled to his captivity. 
He was fed upon the young ears of Indian 
corn ; and at night he hung by his claws from 
the top of the cage, and slept with liis head 
under his wing. Before it was light in the 
morning, he would wake up, and begin to feed 
upon the Indian corn, making such a loud 
