FIDO FIDES. 
267 
and huge moderator lamp, keeping the poor things 
awake. I tell him it is for the mutual good of all parties 
that we should hold converse frequently. It so happens 
that the birds have now settled themselves for the night, 
the lamp light no longer disturbs them; they are now 
only so many feathery balls, each having buried its head 
beneath its wing. Pido having offered my friend a faint 
recognition, makes three turns like a horse in a mill, and 
then screws himself up on the rug, and like the rest goes 
to sleep and dreaming. 
This friend of mine has, I know, come at this hour ex¬ 
pecting a little amusement, in seeing me pass my birds 
through their tricks and performances, but it so happens 
he has come too late. Looking round the room, he sees 
that old Poll has waked up at his entrance, and he is 
about to address a word to her, when she says “ good¬ 
bye,” and at once tucks her head beneath her wing, and 
joins the rest in the region of slumber. 
Friend .—What a curious bird that is, one might think 
she knew the meanings of our words. 
Myself .—-She does know their meaning, and rarely 
wastes a word or utters one inappropriately. 
Friend .—Ah! you think so much about your pets, that 
you are prepared to go to any extreme. 
Myself \—Not so, you have been here often enough to 
have observed that Poll invariably makes her speeches 
suit events or express her wants. 
Friend .—Pve seen some strange coincidences certainly, 
I shan't soon forget how she looked at the leg of mutton, 
and asked, “ Is that for Poll ? ” But coincidences are 
to be rated at their proper value and nothing more, you 
