Mrs. Goddard—A Tame Troupial



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derived more genuine pleasure from the task—that the intimate glimpses

afforded the present writer into the family life of the Humming Bird,

and the experience of photographing this life, under more or less trying

conditions, have not already repaid him many times for all the time and

trouble.



A TAME TROUPIAL


By Mrs. Goddard


Last Christmas I received a most delightful present from Capt. Waud,

in the shape of a most beautiful Troupial. The bird was rather shy at

first, although I very soon persuaded it to take mealworms, and

flies, etc., from my hand. After I had had it for about a month I let it

fly about the room for an hour or two every day, when I would be

writing or painting. I very seldom go about without five or six dogs of

all sorts at my heels, including the dignified “ Pedro ”, and they

always sit in any room with me that I may be using. Well, the first

day that I allowed “ Jacko ” out of his cage, he was satisfied to sit

on the top of it and survey his surroundings, including the dogs. It

was most amusing to watch him, with his head first on one side and then

on the other, taking stock of us all so to speak. In a very few days

he alighted on the table at which I was working and proceeded to

peck away at my paint book, which was not conducive to good work

on my part. This form of exercise went on. until about April; when

one day early in the morning, when I was cleaning the cage, master

Jacko slipped out, and before I could turn round had disappeared

through the open door into the garden ! One can imagine my dismay

at (as I thought) losing my lovely gold and black devil (he really is

nothing less), but so lovable and full of character. I completely lost

sight of him and could not hear his cheerful whistle, although for

hours we hunted the gardens. They went on till about 7.30 p.m.,

I had given up all hope, and was sitting in the garden, when to my

joy Jacko suddenly appeared on the very top of the roof ? ! I fetched



