“GENERAL BEM” THE OAT-BIRD. 
245 
upon my arm and sleep, lie would get into my workbox, and while I watched that he did not 
pilfer a little, he would quietly seat himself upon its edge, and in a low sweet voice lull my 
suspicions by such tender melodies, that finally I could no longer say, ‘ I will not love you, 
Bern ! ’ but gave him the satisfactory assurance that he was not quite so much of a tease as I 
had tried to think him ; and he now received my daily offering of small spiders and worms 
with gestures of evident pleasure. 
“These were always presented to him enveloped in white paper, which he carefully opened, 
and secured his prey before it could escape, even though it was sometimes a difficult task to 
keep his vigilant eye upon so many— apparently escapading— when I was called to the field, 
and appointing me a station, I was expected to give the alarm when one attempted to get away 
on my side, which he immediately killed and dropped, and then darted after those on the 
outskirts of the field of action. 
“At last, one day, Mr. Webber brought for my sister a Wood-thrush, which was very 
wild and savage, and was, besides, extremely ugly, but had the reputation of being a good 
singer, which made us forgive his sullen temper, and hope to win him back to more gentle 
ways, when he should see that we would be his friends, and that he should be almost free ; 
besides, General Bern was much inclined to make his acquaintance, and took the first occasion 
to pay him a visit in his cage-house. This the stronger did not fancy and drove him out. 
Bern resented this, by turning on the threshold and pouring forth a torrent of screams and 
mewings, which came near distracting the poor Thrush, who darted at him and chased him to 
the bed, under which Bern darted, and was secure for the present. 
But from that time there were no more overtures of friendship, they were sworn enemies ; 
the Thiush from detestation of the impudent fellow who invaded his residence, and finally 
appropriated it, to the entire desertion of his own, which, by-the-bye, was much larger, and 
witli which the Thrush eventually consoled himself, and Bern continued to occupy, because it 
amused him to pester the ill-natured fellow, which he had set down the Thrush to be. Many 
were the quaint scenes which now daily occurred. 
If Bern desired to take a bath, the Thrush would endeavor to push him out ; but Bern 
was not to be ousted in that style if he could prevent it, and commonly sent the poor Thrush 
away in consternation, his musical ear stunned by such direful din as threatened to rend his 
delicate heart as well as tympanum. Never shall I forget one droll scene. One day Bern found 
on the floor a white grape, which he seemed to be disposed comfortably to discuss, after having 
rolled it out into the broad sunshine. Just at this moment the Thrush stepped up in a cool 
and dignified manner, and carried the grape off ; dropped it in the shade, and deliberately 
rawing up one foot among his feathers, seemed to say, ‘ I claim the grape as my own ; I stand 
on the defensive ; come and get it if you dare ! ’ so closed the ‘off’ eye and looked as if the 
matter was settled to his entire satisfaction. 
Bern had been in the very act of pecking the grape when it was so unceremoniously 
withdrawn ; he drew himself up on tiptoe fairly with astonishment, his eye seemed to grow 
arger and rounder, the feathers on his head stood alternately erect and clung close to the 
scalp ; he stood a moment or two, and then with a loud Anew’ darted forward to recapture 
t e stolen fruit, but the Thrush coolly and silently met him with open mouth and body 
thrown forward, yet still covering the grape. Bern’s wit returned to him— he quietly turned 
off, as it it was a small matter anyhow. 
u We were astonished. Was Bern a coward after all? would he permit this bird even 
. i e rr Jf g T’ t0 imp0Se up0n Mm in this fasMon ’ and he able to whip mocking-birds 
at that ? We shook our heads ; if Bern does that, we shall withdraw his laurels. But see ! 
he comes cautiously about the Thrush— what does he mean? ah, we perceive - Bern has 
sagaciously only changed his tactics, we will watch him ; he thinks the Thrush will want 
some dinner pretty soon, and then, as Bern disdains to be called quarrelsome, he will quietly 
appropriate his treasure. 1 J 
4 p0urs p!pl 8' iS Whined this position, the Thrush never moving more than six 
inches from his post, though evidently becoming hungry and weary, while Bern silently 
wan ered about the room, feasting in the most provokingly cool way in both cages, and 
