of saving my bees, to let one little
victim be shot and hung up as "an awful example" to the rest, and it
proved an effectual remedy. My basket of fat used to prove very
attractive all through the cold weather, when, I suppose, these tiny
birds need the caloric it supplies; they always left off coming as soon
as the days were warm and insects plentiful.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

BLANCHE, THE PIGEON.

Pigeons possess a great deal more individuality of character than any
one would suppose who has only seen them in flocks picking up grain in a
farmyard, like domestic fowls.

They show to better advantage when only a few pairs are kept and fed
daily at some settled place; but to make really interesting pets two are
quite sufficient, and may be made very amusing companions. Some species
may possess more mental capacity than others. Those I have to speak of
were snow-white trumpeters. A pair was sent to me, but, to my sorrow, I
found on opening the basket that the male bird had escaped on the way;
so I could only put the solitary hen in a cage, and do all that was
possible in the way of plentiful food and kind care to make her happy;
but all to no purpose. The poor bird pined and grew weaker every day,
till she became unable to get up to her perch. I used, therefore, to go
to her every evening and place her comfortably for the night; and she
soon grew tame enough to like being caressed and talked to. When spring
returned I obtained a male pigeon, and hoped Blanche would accept him
for a mate, but she showed a great deal of temper, and made him so
unhappy that he had to be exchanged for another--a fine snow-white bird
like herself, and, happily, of such a forbearing disposition as to
endure being considerably "hen-pecked." Now began the curious part of
Blanche's history. The pair built a nest in a small pigeon-house close
to my window, so that I was able to watch all the family arrangements
with much interest. Blanche liked to be with me for some hours in the
morning, sitting on the table pluming herself, quite at ease, and when
that operation was ended she generally seated herself on a large Bible
which lay at one end of the dining-table, and there she usually went to
sleep; a white dove resting on the Word suggested to one's mind many a
beautiful emblematic thought. These visits to me were paid most
regularly when a nest was finished and the eggs were being hatched; she
then shared the duties of incubat