So I rose quietly, lest I should disturb my companions, who were still asleep, and stepped aside into the bushes for this purpose.
On my return I found them still slumbering, so I again lay down to think over our situation.

Just at that moment I was attracted by the sight of a very small parrot, which Jack afterwards told me was called a paroquet.
It was seated on a twig that overhung Peterkin's head, and I was speedily lost in admiration of its bright green plumage, which was mingled with other gay colours.

While I looked I observed that the bird turned its head slowly from side to side and looked downwards, fist with the one eye, and then with the other.

On glancing downwards I observed that Peterkin's mouth was wide open, and that this remarkable bird was looking into it.

Peterkin used to say that I had not an atom of fun in my composition, and that I never could understand a joke.