steadied him, and kept him from mounting too high into the clouds.
The Professor looked at the bird through his spectacles, and nodded
his head sagaciously. "I have seen this species before," he said,
"though not often. It belongs to a very ancient family indeed,
and I scarcely thought that any specimen of it remained in the
present day. Quite a museum bird; and in excellent plumage, too.
Sir, I congratulate you."

"You do not, then, consider, Professor," said the traveler, "that
this bird has about it anything transcendental--that it is--in fact--
not altogether--pardon me the expression--a terrestrial bird?"
For he was afraid to say the truth, that the bird really came from
beyond the sunset.

The decorated personage was much amused. He laughed pleasantly,
and answered in bland tones, "Oh dear, no; I recognise quite well
the species to which it belongs. An ancient species, as I have
said, and one indeed that Science has done her utmost to extirpate,
purposely in part, because it is proved to be a great devastator
of the crops, and thus directly injurious to the interests of mankind,
and partly by accident, for it has a most remarkable song-note,
and scientific men have destroyed all the specimens they have been
able to procure, in the hope of discovering the mechanism by which
the vocal tones are produced. But, pardon me, are you a stranger
in this city, sir?"

"I am," responded the traveler, "and permit me to assure you that
I take a lively interest in the scientific and intellectual pursuits
with which in this place, I perceive, you are largely occupied."