_INTRODUCTION_
_Most of our Indians have a tradition that in the days of old animals
and man had a common speech. Each was able to understand the other,
and thoughts and language were common to all. It was not until man
began to regard himself as superior to the animals and think of them
as “lower” that this oneness of speech and relationship was lost.
Since then envy, jealousy, anger, on one side, and conceit, pride, and
contempt on the other have widened the breach, while_ LOVE _has stood
with tearful eyes looking on at the sad and unnatural estrangement._
_But in these latter days prophets among the white race have risen up
to awaken again within man the desire for brotherhood with the
humbler creations of God. Thoreau, John Burroughs, John Muir, Ernest
Thompson Seton, W. J. Long, Elizabeth Grinnell, and many others, are
showing us our kinship to the birds, buds, bees, blossoms, and beasts.
It is with the two thoughts before me of the common speech and
understanding existent between the animals and man, and of the kinship
that affection shows us does really exist, that I have written the
“Story of Scraggles” from her viewpoint, with the confident
anticipation that young and old alike will enjoy this truthful record
of a sweet and beautiful little life._
_While, of course, the thoughts put into Scraggles’ words are mine,
the statements of fact are literally true. I have told the story as
nearly in accord with the incidents as they actually occurred, as this
method of telling the story would permit._
_GEORGE WHARTON JAMES_
_1098 N. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, California
Feb. 23, 1906_
_CONTENTS_
CHAPTER PAGE
I. HOW I CAME TO LIVE IN A HOUSE 1
II. MY FIRST WEEK IN-DOORS 11
III. MY SECOND WEEK IN THE HOUSE 23
IV. MY FIRST SAND BATH 30
V. ON THE FESSOR’S DESK AND MY HIDING-PLACE 35
VI. PREENING MY FEATHERS 43
VII. GOING OUT OF DOORS 48
VIII. ON FESSOR’S BED 56
IX. GOING FOR A WALK 62
X. UNCLE HERBERT’S VISIT 66
XI. MY ILLNESS 70
XII. SCRAGGLES’ LAST DAY 76
XIII. HOW THE STORY OF SCRAGGLES CAME TO BE WRITTEN 81
_ILLUSTRATIONS_
Scraggles and “The ’Fessor” _Frontispiece_
“I saw happy little birds outside” _Page_ 12
“The cutest hiding-place in the world” 40
“At first I thought it was another little bird” 43
“I used to roost on it a great deal” 55
“I couldn’t bear to be anywhere else than right in his hand” 71