Nothing whatever. Because the owner is a vegetarian An amazing man, a
lover of animals. He calls them by names borrowed from the poets. The
donkey there is Midas; the heifer, Io.

THE BLACKBIRD
The showman's on the job!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[_Indicating the_ BLACKBIRD.] And that?

CHANTECLER
Our humorist.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
What does he do?

CHANTECLER
Oh, he keeps busy!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Doing what?

CHANTECLER
Trying never to appear a fool, and that's hard work.

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Possibly--but most unattractive! [_They move towards the back._]

THE BLACKBIRD
[_With a glance at the_ PHEASANT-HEN'S _scarlet breast._] Size up the