THE SPINNING-WHEEL.

NELLIE sits spinning the flaxen thread, And thoughts come dancing into her

head.

She thinks of Charlie far off at sea,
She thinks of what the future may be ;
But the spinning-wheel ever sings the

same song:

Hum hum hum, the thread is long.

Nellie thinks sadly of days gone by,
A tear-drop trembles in her blue eye;
But hope soon chases the tear away,
And Nellie's heart grows light and gay;
But the spinning-wheel ever sings the

same song:

Hum hum hum, the thread is long.

1

HERONS.

HERONS are remarkable for having long necks, long legs, long bills, and long toes. All these long members are very serviceable to them. Their long legs enable them to wade in rivers and pools of water; their long necks enable them to reach out to catch the fish as they dart along; their long bills, which are also very sharp at the point, enable them to strike the fish and fetch them out from under stones; and their long toes enable them to stand firmly in the water. They live principally on small fish, worms, insects, and eels. They will watch patiently for a long time on the banks of a river without moving; then, when they see a little fish swim by within reach, they dart forward and give it a sudden stroke with their long bill, and swallow it whole. It is very curious to see a Heron catch an eel. Although it is so slippery, he keeps tight hold of it in his bill.