Bird Friendship,

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1629, 5 October 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

Bird Friendship,

Mr. Adolphus Saxe, a oelebrated inventor of military musical instruments, had a little | green- parrot, Bickly, weak, and almost i featherless. His workroom was full Gf I brass filings and unhealthy odors. AccordI sssglj', iiG pZcceol Isza old favorite's cags £za a I Jaj-gs Jaiae-trse that grei? o<?ar. Tho parroc ■was adioft enough to open bti cage, and would fly to tbe branches to enjoy her liberty, ( returning to her cage from time time for [ food. | As the oage was open and untenimtcd, a [ sparrow, with the modesty of its kind, used |to enter and help itself. He got so muoh at home, that even when the parrot returned he would net fly off, but kept on eating, aa though he were the owner, and not an uninvited guest. The parrot not only did not resent the intrusion, but formed a very strong friendship for the sparrow, which was evidently reoiproeated. When the parrot felt lonely and wanted company, she imitated tha sparrow's chirp to invita her friend to pay her a visit ; and unless he was bayond hearing distance, the sparrow always oßma. On his part, the sparrow, in rainy winter weather, allowed himself to be shut, up in tho parrot's O3ge, utterly disregardJDg the toits shut upon him, which he knew would be urawn back in the morning 1 . But one fins — or rather one fata! — day, a oat belonging io the neighborhood pounced upon and devoured the sparrow, which, from his familiarity with tbe house, had cot learned to be upon big guard. Tho parrot, not seeing him return, passed day and night thenceforth in calling upon i him that Bhe wa3 never more to see again, end afcfr a wails efia was £o«ad lyiitg a«Mi under the tteo.