THE CHAFFINCH. 
meat man, and that the Eoarer had not got a chance against 
the other bird, which my friend, moreover, opined was a good job 
too, for, whereas the cat’s-meat man earned lots of money, and 
kept two ponies, his opponent was only a market porter. 
“ £ Now, gentlemen,’ said the landlord, bustling into the 
room, ‘ I’ll thank yon to clear yonr birds out, the match is on 
in ten minutes.’ 
“ The company took down their birds, and placing them in 
safe keeping outside the house, returned to their seats. Pots 
and pipes were replenished, and, amid a dead silence, the birds 
were brought in, each cage being tied up in a black bag. 
“ £ Now you know, Meatey,’ observed the market porter, as 
the former produced his bird, £ don’t let’s have no tricks, that’s 
a good fellow, let it be a square (fair) match.’ 
££ £ Me ?’ replied the oily man, with the most edifying inno- 
cence. ‘ Why, you knows me, don’t yer ? ’ 
££ £ I do so,’ responded the porter, with most uncomplimentary 
emphasis ; £ that’s what made me make the observation.’ 
££ My companion informed me at this juncture that the admo- 
nition of the porter was not altogether uncalled for, it being the 
meat man’s boast that he could set any of his birds singing, or 
stop them while in full song, either by his voice or a motion of 
his hand. 
££ The men now tossed up for choice of position, an advan- 
tage, as I understood, of considerable importance, the aim being 
to secure the snuggest and warmest corner, or the one farthest 
removed from door or window. The bird who loses the toss is 
bound to take up his position opposite the window. This being 
the case, the winner will not always take full advantage of his 
privilege, but will choose an inferior position, if by so doing 
he can throw his adversary into a very undesirable part of the 
room. The advantage, in this case, was gained by the Kings - 
land Eoarer. 
££ £ There he is, sir,’ exclaimed the old birdcatcher with rapture, 
as the birds were uncovered; £ there he is ; and a bigger beauty 
never sang atween wood and wire ! ’ 
££ I must say I was not dazzled by the £ beauty’s ’ appear- 
ance. For, to begin with, he had no tail, which gave him the 
appearance of being much too tall on his legs ; his head, un- 
recovered from the last moult, was entirely bald and white and 
shiny ; and of eyes he had only one, which, I suppose, induced 
him to carry his head all on one side, in so queer a manner. 
I never saw any one thing in my life that he could be compared 
no 
