and insulting, and that while her exercise of those attributes not compatible with good society were limited by wires and other inconveniences, her desire to employ them knew no bounds. That she itched to behave more outrageously than she knew how to, was only too apparent. This is a bad sign whether in birds or in those who minister to their welfare.
That Polly had a grudge against us from the first was indirectly revealed by her obtrusive preference for strangers, and directly by the sarcastic and vituperative character of her remarks, which, though confined to bird language, the most liberal and indulgent interpretation could not disguise. Of course, Poll was not free from those little discrepancies and incongruities which betray even the subtlest of mortals and which, had she been aware of them, would have undermined her proud arrogance. Her loquacity coupled with her histrionic powers, contributed to this end, for she knew no other than to utter her acquired sentiments in the gentle intonation of her instructor, whereas her own innate feelings were conveyed in tones calculated to arouse, not only the forebodings of the house-
