which had sunk into his soul, and so filled it with melody as he beat the still air with his gentle wings.

Then hid away among the bushes which filled one corner, we could sometimes catch a glimpse of Bob White, as he called his "wife" back from her inquisitive peering at us, and the little shore larks who were so shy and gliding, looking ever as if some still wave from the sea was chasing them higher on the sands, and as if they must in a moment take wing, while we gaze steadily to distinguish their rapid quivering flight in the sunshine, from the dash of glittering spray.

But what have we here? What a lovely figure-what perfect plumage! What do you call this gentleman who seems to be protector general of all that crowd of canaries? See! the scamp has pounced upon that large mocking bird, and has sent him screaming in rage across the room. And how cool he is; he evidently does not consider that a great feat. What a knowing air he has!-how, he determines to make our acquaintance-to retort to our questionings. We beg the honor of an introduction to this extremely nonchalant gentleman. No! do not tell me he is called simple "Master Cat-Bird"-let me confer upon him his rightful title. Henceforth we shall know him as "General Bem "the brave general-the magnanimous, the impulsive though calm, the handsome, our favorite General Bem. Come here, and take this berry in proof that your honors are real, not visionary, as the world too often makes them. Henceforth thou art Bem! Great Bem-we take thee to our heart and-may we be permitted to take him to our home!

Well, General Bem went home with us at once, and was immediately given his liberty, which he made use of by peering into every closet, examining and dragging everything from its proper place, which he could manage, pecking and squalling, dashing hither and thither, until at night he quietly went into his cage as if he was nearly or quite positive that he must commence a new career on the morrow; it was evi dent that he had to begin the world over again, yet, as he

was not superannuated, and was, withal, ambitious, his case was still not a desperate one, although we had assured him most positively, that we would not fall in love with him--we had only invited him there to help us pass the time.

Bem looked wise at the assertion, but said nothing. The next morning we gave him water for a bath, which he immediately used, and then sprang upon my head very much to my surprise; then he darted to the window, then back to my head, screaming all the time most vociferously, until finally I went to the window, for peace sake, and stood in the sunshine while Bem composedly dressed his feathers, standing on my head first on one foot, then on the other, evidently using my scalp as a sort of foot-stove, and my head for a movable pedestal for his impudent generalship to perch on when he felt disposed to be comfortably elevated; and had clearly come to the conclusion-as I was so fond of transporting him from his native land-that I should serve as a convenient craft to bear him where his moods commanded. In a word, he had determined to turn tyrant; if I had had the deliberate purpose of using him as a mere toy, he had at least the coolness to make me available, and from that time I became the victim of the most unequalled tyranny. Did I neglect his morning bath beyond the instant, my ears were assailed with screams and cries till I was forced to my duty; I must bear him into the sunshine or my hair was pulled; I must bring him his breakfast or he pecked my cheeks and lips; in fine, I was compelled to become his constant attendant, while, in the meantime, he most diligently assailed my heart by endearing confidences. He would sit upon my arm and sleep, he would get into my work-box, and while I watched that he did not pilfer a little, he would quietly seat himself on its edge, and in a low, sweet voice, lull my suspicions by such tender melodies, that finally I could no longer say "I will not love you, Bem !"--but gave him the satisfactory assurance that he was not quite so much of a tease as I had tried to think him; and he now received my

daily offering of small spiders and worms with gestures of evident pleasure. These were always presented to him enveloped in white paper, which he carefully opened and secured then his prey before it could escape, even although it was sometimes a difficult task to keep his vigilant eye. upon so many apparently escapading-when I was called to the field, and appointing me a station, I was expected to give the alarm when one attempted to get away on my side, which he immediately killed and dropped, and then darted after those on the outskirts of the field of action.

At last, one day, Mr. Webber brought for my sister a wood thrush, which was very wild and savage, and was, besides, extremely ugly, but had the reputation of being a good singer, which made us forgive his sullen temper and hope to win him back to more gentle ways, when he should see that we would be his friends and that he should be almost free; besides, Gen. Bem was evidently much inclined to make his acquaintance, and took the first occasion to pay him a visit. in his cage-house. This the stranger did not fancy, and drove him out. Bem resented this, by turning on the threshold and pouring forth a torrent of screams and mewings which came near distracting the poor thrush, who darted at him and chased him to the bed, under which Bem darted, and was secure for the present. But from that time there were no more overtures of friendship--they were sworn enemies; the thrush, from detestation of the impudent fellow who invaded his residence, and finally appropriated it, to the entire desertion of his own, which, by-the-bye, was much larger, and with which the thrush eventually consoled himself, and Bem continued to occupy, because it amused him to pester the illnatured fellow which he had set down the thrush to be. Many were the quaint scenes which now daily occurred. If Bem desired to take a bathe, the thrush would endeavor to push him out; but Bem was not to be ousted in that style if he could prevent it, and commonly sent the poor thrush away in consternation, his musical ear stunned by such direful din as threatened