, who usually has some interests of his own, however fond he may be
of a person. The moment I spoke to him his whole manner changed. He came
at once as near as he could, about four feet from me, and began to talk,
holding his tail on one side, and both wings spread to their fullest
extent and parallel with his back. In this attitude he hopped up and
down his three perches, always as near my side as possible, and
evidently in great excitement. If during this exhibition any one came
in, his wings instantly dropped, though he did not stop talking to me.
This action of the wings showed extreme affection, and must not be
profaned by common eyes. When I came close and replied to him, his
agitation was almost painful to see,--such loving tones, such gentle
kisses, such struggles to express himself. Not only did he insist on
sharing his dainties with me, offering me mocking-bird food or bread and
milk in the most loving way, but he wished to share mine; ice-cream he
delighted in, cake he was as fond of as any child, and candy he always
begged for, though instead of eating it he hid it somewhere about the
room,--under my pillow, or between the leaves of a book, all sticky as
it was from his mouth.

Second in the blue-jay's affection was a lady to whom at first he took a
great dislike. She tried her best to win him, talking to him, treating
him to various tidbits, and offering him the hospitality of her
room,--separated from the bird-room by a passage,--and above all dancing
with him. These attentions in time secured her a warm place in his
regards, though his treatment of her was very different from that
reserved for me. He was always gentle with me, while in her society he
exhibited all his noisy accomplishments,--squawked, whistled and
screamed, stamped his feet, and jounced (the only word to describe a
certain raising and violent dropping of the body without lifting the
feet). He ran after her when she left the room; he pecked her hand, and
flew up at her face. Gradually, as he grew to like her better, the more
violent demonstrations ceased; but he was always boisterous with her,
generally expected a half-fight, half-frolic, and I must say never
failed to enjoy it greatly.

The dance spoken of was droll. His chosen place for this indulgence was
the back of a tall chair. His friend stood before this, whistled, bowed,
and moved her head up and down as if dancing; and he on his perch did
the same, jumping up and down in a simil