This book is dedicated to my first wild pet, who was the most interesting and intelligent creature I have tamed. He chased the children into their houses by pinching their legs; he awoke the dog by pulling its tail, and he pecked the horse's feet, then jumped back and crouched low to escape being kicked. Because of his thieving instinct he kept me at war with the neighbors. His last mischievous act was to pull the corks from the red and the black ink bottles, tip them over, fly to the bed, and cover the counterpane with tracks. I found him dead in the work-room the following morning, his black beak red and red mouth black.