tually chased his big
antagonist around the room and away from his favorite perches, hovering
over his head, and flying around it in small circles, trying to peck it,
till he flew away defeated, probably because he was too much amazed to
think of resisting.

This was not, however, the worst enemy he had to deal with. Next door to
the tanager lived a robin, a big, rollicking, fun-loving fellow who
considered such a retiring personage fair game. His pleasure was to see
that the tanager went out every day, and he made it his business to
enforce the regulation he had set up. His tactics were to jump upon the
roof of the cage, coming down violently just over the head of the
tanager, who, of course, hopped quickly to the other perch. Then the
robin began a mad war-dance across the cage, wings held up, tail spread,
bill clattering, and altogether looking as full of mischief as any bad
boy one ever saw, while the tanager went wild below, flying in a panic
back and forth, but not for some time thinking of leaving the cage. The
instant this performance began, the little champion was upon him; he
alighted at one end of the short tramping ground on the cage, and met
his big foe with open beak and every sign of war. The robin simply
lowered his head and went for him, and the little bird had to fly. He
pluckily returned at once to the other end and faced him again.

Observing that the goldfinch alone was not able to keep the robin away,
I provided the cage with a roof of paper, which is usually a perfect
protection, since birds dislike the rustle. It did not dismay this
naughty fellow, however; on the contrary, it gave an added zest because
of that very quality. He pranced across it in glee, making a great
noise, and when the violence of his movements pushed it aside, he peered
down on the tanager, who stood panting. The sight pleased him, and he
resumed his pranks; he lifted the handle of the cage and let it drop
with a clatter; he jerked off bits of paper and dropped them into the
cage, and in every way showed a very mischievous spirit. Meanwhile, all
through the confusion the goldfinch scolded furiously, flying around to
get a peck at him, and in every way challenging him to fight.
Occasionally, when he became too troublesome, the robin turned and
snapped his beak at him, but did not choose to leave the bigger game.

When at last he tired of his fun, or was driven away, the goldfinch flew
to the side of the cage where the fright