MONSIEUR MISCHIEF 
defend it. Woe to your eyes if you venture 
to meddle. The bird so full of elegant 
grace in every movement becomes a scream- 
ing fury, bristling with rage. No soft note 
j 
comes from his throat, but the hideous 
meauw that has given him his name. 
He is a great dandy, and if you are an 
early riser, you may see him at his morn- 
ing toilet. First, about four o’clock in 
the morning, comes a plunge in clean cold 
water of brook or pond. Such a splatter 1 
Showers of pearly drops fly in every direc- 
tion. A wofully bedraggled-looking bird 
flies out from it. Then each separate feather 
must be combed and dressed over and over 
again. It is a long process, — I have fre- 
quently seen it last half an hour, even with- 
out the sun-bath which follows it. After 
this he is ready for breakfast and song, — 
the very sweetest song of all the day, a joy- 
ous rhapsody on the sunshine and beauty 
of the glorious morning. The air is so still 
we hold our breath to listen, and listen and 
marvel. 
