almost squeezed himself
to death between the bars of his cage--in fact, he had endless escapes
of various kinds. He was very amusing in his early youth. Whilst I was
dressing he would delight in picking up my scissors, pins, buttonhook,
and anything else he could lift, and would carry them to the edge of the
dressing-table and throw them down, turning his sly little head to see
where they had fallen. He delighted in mischief, and was ever on the
watch to carry off or misplace things; and yet he was a winning little
pet, fearless in his confidence, perching on one's head or shoulder, and
hindering all dressing operations by calmly placing his little body in
the way, regardless of consequences.

He lived in his cage during the day, and next to him, on the same table,
lived a bullfinch--a very handsome bird, but heavy and lethargic to a
degree; he sang exquisitely, and for that gift I suppose Verdant admired
him, for his delight was to be as near him as possible. Perched on the
top of his cage, he gazed down at his friend, and in great measure
imitated his singing. Bully, on the contrary, hated Verdant, and would
have nothing to do with him. The two characters were a great source of
amusement to us.

Verdant was always let out at meal-times to fly about and enjoy his
liberty, and I am sorry to say he was always on the look-out for any
mischief that might be possible. Bully's water-jar was fastened outside
by a small pin; this Verdant discovered was movable, and before long we
were startled by the fall of the said water-jar, the greenfinch having
pulled out the pin; he then began upon the seed-box, and that also fell,
to his great delight; he was then talked to and scolded, and up went his
pretty yellow wings with angry flappings, and his open beak scolded back
again in the most hardened manner. He was greatly interested in watching
the numerous birds frequenting a basket filled with fat which hung
outside the window, and he would swing backwards and forwards on the
tassel of the blind, chirping to the outsiders, and watching all their
little squabbles. Sunflower seeds were his greatest dainty; he would
perch upon the hand to receive one, or if it were held between the lips
he would flutter and poise upon the wing to take it. A sort of swing
with a chain and movable wheel was provided, upon which Verdant soon
learned to perch and swing, whilst he amused himself by pecking at the
chain till he disengaged the sunflower seed