round and flung his heels at the dog. That animal, not liking to receive a drubbing, however much he liked to give one, slunk off with his tail between his legs. The brave horse then strutted round the helpless donkey, seemingly proud of his victory, as indeed he had good reason to be. Arrested, drawn to, roused. Manner, way. Mystery, something not understood or unintelligible. Plumed, dressed (his feathers with his bill). Appear, seem. Achievement, any difficult thing done, performance. A GENEROUS BANTAM COCK. My attention was lately arrested by a flock of sparrows flying about a house in Falkirk, in a very strange manner. I was curious to find out the cause, and, on observing more closely, the mystery was explained. I was sorry to see that one of the young birds had fallen from its little warm nest under the tiles of the house. There the poor little thing lay on the ground, unable to fly, and the older birds were unable to lift it up. A fine bantam cock, which appeared to understand what was wanted, walked forward, and carefully took up the poor little bird in his bill. He then mounted an empty cart, from which he flew upon the tiles, then, stretching his neck out over the edge of the tiles he placed his charge safely in its warm, comfortable nest again. In doing so, however, the noble bird over balanced itself and fell down to the ground. He appeared frightened, but not much hurt. After pluming his feathers for a short time, he began to strut about and crow, seemingly quite proud of his achievement. What lesson does this bantam teach us?* *Children's Friend. STANDARD THE COCK AND THE FOX. A journey once took: They travell'd along till 'twas late; The dog he made free In the hollow of a tree, And the cock on the boughs of it sate. The cock nothing knowing, Your face is as fair The cock, smiling, looks down Says he, "There's a porter below; And have some bread and cheese Adopt, take and bring up as one's own. Descend, come down; opp., ascend, go up. Refuse, not to accept. THE FATHERLY DORKING. A HEN having sat on Guinea fowls' eggs forsook them when hatched. They were adopted by a fine Dorking cock, who watched over them with fatherly care. I have frequently seen them, unable to mount alone to the roosting place, patiently wait until little Chanty made his appearance. Then he would stand while one mounted on his back, and then he would fly with it to the perch. When he had settled the little orphan, he would descend for another, and so on. After the fowls were fully grown they were given away, and they were for some days so unhappy that they refused all food, pining for their kind friend.* Sear, withered and yellow, as dead leaves are. THE CAPTIVE SQUIRREL'S PETITION. ADDRESSED TO THE LITTLE GIRL WHO KEPT HIM. A NATIVE of the dark green woods, my home is far away, Where gaily 'mid the giant oaks, my bright-eyed offspring play; Their couch is lined with softest moss, within an aged tree; The wind that sweeps the forest boughs, is not more blithe than we; And oft beneath our nimble feet the old sear branches shake, As lightly through the beechen groves our merry way we take ; The boundless forest was my home-how hard my fate must be, Confined within this narrow cage-oh! set your captive free! Oh! think how hard your lot would be, in this dark room confined, Without a single friend to cheer the anguish of your mind; Severed from every kindred tie, and left alone to weep O'er perished joys, when every eye is closed in tranquil sleep! The glorious sunbeams to your heart no cheering light would bring, But heaviness and gloom would rest on every pleasant thing: If freedom to your soul is dear, have pity, then, on me, Unbar the narrow cage, and set your hapless prisoner free. S. Strickland. *The Children's Friend. Recollect, remember. THE ROBIN'S FOUNDLINGS. "SWISH, Swish," went the scythes, as the men, early in the morning, were mowing the tall grass. Round the field they went, not minding the grass hoppers that leapt in terror, or the meadow-mice that scampered in the thickest grass. By-and-bye the owner of the field came to them, when one of the men pointed to a little stick which he had stuck in the ground. The gentleman went to the stick, and there found a poor lark with her head cut off by the scythe! She was on her nest, keeping her little young birds warm, when she met with her death, poor thing. The gentleman took up the nest, containing four very small featherless birds. He carried them home, and on his way recollected that near his house was a faithful old robin, which had made her nest in the cherry-tree, and also that she had just begun to sit. On reaching the tree, there the robin was, to be sure still he well knew that she must have her own way. So he watched her. In a few hours she flew off to get her food. The moment she was out of sight, the gentleman climbed up and took out the four little blue robin's eggs and put the four little larks in their place. Again he prepared to watch. In a short time Mrs. Robin came flying back to her nest. She went straight to it, and was just going to hop in, when lo! what is this? She raised her wings and stood in utter amazement. A few minutes ago she had left eggs, and now they were birds. She stood and looked, turning her head one way and then the other, and seeming to scan them very closely. After her amazement had gone past, she flew off, and in a few moments came back with the male robin. They both planted themselves, one on each side of the nest and looked in, most earnestly, with raised wings. Sure enough it was even so They were birds and not eggs! Then they began to chatter, as if talking the matter over and trying to explain this queer state of things. After a while they flew off in great haste. The gentleman feared it was now all over with the poor orphans. But no! In a very few minutes, they both returned, each bringing a worm, with which they began to feed them. They had adopted them, and from that hour they took care of them and brought them up as their own. * Captivate, delight, charm. Counsel, advice. PRITHEE, little buzzing fly, The life your caution now may spare. *Sunday-School Times. |