Dickens' Bird "grip."

A letter from Charles Dickens to Angus Fletcher, lately made public, thus describes the passing of a bird immortalized by the novelist: "Grip is no more, lie was only ill a day. I sent íor the medical gentleman (a bird fancier in the new road) on the first appearance oí his indisposition. He promptly attended and aduiinistered castor oil and wurm gTuel. Next day the patiënt walked in a thoughtful manner up and down the statie till the clock struck twelve at noon, then staggered twice, ezclaimed: 'Hal-loa, oíd girl' - either as a remonstrance with his weakness or un apostrophe to death, I am not sure which - and expired." Mad this month- The March hare.