her mamma, and there are many more of your way of thinking; and therefore these great birds, which live upon the smaller class, build their nests in places where they cannot be easily disturbed, such as in woods, in crevices of rocks, and in other places most unfrequented by men, or at heights beyond our reach.

17. "Since, therefore, my dear children, these birds are greatly different from each other, as well in size as in their mode of living, and in the variety of their plumage, it will naturally follow, that their nests must also differ. The lark never perches on a tree, and sings only when mounting in the air, and builds her nest on the ground.

18. The swallow builds about the roofs of houses, under what we call the eves, and sometimes in the corners of windows and chimnies. The owl, which flies abroad only in the night, seeks out deserted habitations or some hollow tree, wherein to deposit her eggs, and the eagles, that soar above the clouds till absolutely out of sight, bring forth their young in the cliffs of craggy rocks.

19. "Those little birds which so prettily sport round our houses, and hop from branch to branch, make their nests in trees and hedges. Those which sport on the water, and find their living therein, build their nests among the rushes that g grow on the banks.

You

20. "We will, one fine day, take a walk into the little valley that terminates our large meadow, and you will there see a number of these pretty creatures busy in selecting the materials of which they compose their nests. will observe one employed in carrying off a wheaten straw, another with wool or feathers in its beak, another with a dried leaf, and perhaps with a little moss.

21. "You may frequently notice the swallow, on the borders of a limpid stream, moistening in the water a little bit of earth which she holds in her beak, and with this she builds her habitation; and, though the outside of her nest is formed of hard and durable materials, the inside is lined with the softest and warmest. There are even some birds, which pull off their own feathers to make up a comfortable bed, wherein to secure their young from every inclemency of the elements.

22. "Their nests are made large or small, in proportion to the number of eggs they are to contain. Some birds hang up their nests by a kind of thread, which they have the skill to form of flax, of different sorts of weeds, and of

the webs of spiders. Others place it in the middle of a soft and gluey substance, to which they carefully stick many feathers. All birds seek retired and solitary places, and use every endeavour to make their nests strong and solid, to secure them from the attacks of enemies of various species.

23. "It is in this kind of habitation they lay their eggs, where the female, or at times the male, sits upon them, puts every thing within them in motion, and at last produces little creatures, which break through their shell and come forth.

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24. I doubt not but you have often seen a fly in winter, which appeared to have no life in it; yet, upon taking it in your hand, the warmth proceeding from it has brought it to life. It is nearly the same thing with birds, the perseverance of whose parents, in brooding upon their verts them into living creatures.

eggs, con25. "While the mother is sitting, the male is her constant attendant, and amuses her with music. When the young birds are hatching, the old ones endeavour to release them from the confinement of the egg. At this period, their diligence is redoubled, they do every thing to nourish and defend them, and are constantly employed in that interesting pursuit.

26. "No obstacle deters them from seeking their food, of which they make an equal distribution, every one receiv ing in turn what they have been enabled to procure. So long as they continue young and helpless, they contrive to procure such food as is adapted to their delicacy; but as soon as they are grown stronger by age, they provide for them food of a more solid nature.

27. "The pelican, which is a very large bird, is obliged to go a great distance for food for her young, and therefore nature has provided her with a sort of bag, which she fills with such food as she knows is most agreeable to the palate of her young ones. She warms what she procures, and by

such means makes it fitter for their tender stomachs.

28. "While they are thus acting the parental part, they seem to be forgetful of themselves, and attentive only to their little family. On the approach of either rain or tempests, they hasten to their nests, and cover them as well as they can with expanded wings, thereby keeping out the wind and water from hurting their infant brood.

29. "All their nights are employed in keeping them

warm. The most timorous among the feathered race, which will fly away on the least noise that approaches them, and tremble at the most trifling apprehensions of danger, become strangers to fear as soon as they have a young family to take care of, and are inspired with courage and intrepidity.

30. "We see an instance of this in the common hen, which, though in general a coward, no sooner becomes a parent, than she gives proofs of courage, and boldly stands forth in defence of her young. She will face the largest dog, and will not even run from a man who shall attempt to rob her of her chickens.

31. "In nearly a similar manner, the little birds endeavour to protect their infant family. When an enemy approaches, they will flutter round the nest, will seem to call out for assistance, will attack the invader, and pursue him. The mother will frequently prefer confining herself with them to the pleasure of rambling through the woods, and will not quit her little progeny."

32. Here their mamma ended, and her two children promised they never would any more disturb those pretty feathered animals. They promised only to look at their nests, without being so cruel as to do them any harm. They said they would be satisfied with gazing on them, while employed in the delightful task of attending on their young, and comforting and caressing their helpless offspring.

33. "My dear children, said their mamma, this is the conduct you ought to pursue. Keep your resolutions, and I shall love you the more tenderly for it. Do no injury to any creature, for he who made you made them also. Take no delight in giving pain to the most insignificant creatures; but endeavour, on all occasions, to contribute to their happiness." BERQUIN.

SECTION VIII,

Returning good for evil, the noblest revenge.

1. "I WILL be revenged on him, that I will, and make him heartily repent it," said little Philip to himself, with a countenance quite red with anger, His mind was so engaged, that as he walked along, he did not see his dear friend Stephen, who happened at that instant to meet him, and consequently heard what he had said.

2. "Who is that, said Stephen, that you intend to be revenged on?" Philip as though awaked from a dream, stopped short and looking at his friend, soon resumed the smile that was natural to his countenance. Ah! (said he)

come with me, my friend, and you shall see whom I will be revenged on.

gave me.

3. I believe you remember my supple jack, a very pretty little cane, which my father You see it is now all in pieces. It was farmer Robinson's son, who lives in yonder thatched cottage, that reduced it to this worthless

state.

4. Stephen very cooly asked him what induced the far mer's son to break it. "I was walking very peaceably along, (replied Philip) and was playing with my cane by twisting it round my body. By some accident or other, one of the two ends got out of my hand when I was opposite the gate, just by the wooden bridge, and where the little miscreant had put down a pitcher full of water which he was carrying home from the well.

5. It so happened, that my cane, in springing, overset the pitcher, but did not break it. He came up close to me, and began to call me names, when I assured him I did not intend any harm, what I had done was by accident, and I was very sorry for it. Without paying any regard to what I said, he instantly seized my supple jack, and twisted it as you here see; but I will make him heartily repent it."

6. "To be sure, (said Stephen) he is a very wicked boy, and is already very properly punished for it, since nobody likes him, nor will do any thing for him. He finds it very difficult to get any companion to play with him, and if he attempts to intrude himself into their company, they will all instantly leave him. To consider this properly, I think, should be sufficient revenge to you."

7. "All this is true, (replied Philip) but he has broken my cane. It was a present from my papa, and a very pretty cane you know it was. My father will perhaps ask me what is become of it; and as he will suppose I have carelessly lost his present, he will probably be angry with me, of which this little saucy fellow will be the cause. I offered to fill his pitcher again, having knocked it down by accident-I will be revenged."

8. "My dear friend (said Stephen) I think you will act better in not minding him, as your contempt will be the best punishment you can inflict on him. He is a mischiev

ous boy, and you may be assured that he will always be able to do more mischief to you than you would choose to do him. And now I think of it, I will tell you what hap❤ pened to him, not long since.

9. "Very unluckily for him, he chanced to see a bee hovering about a flower, which he caught and was going to pull off its wings out of sport, when the animal found means to sting him, and then flew away in safety to the hive. The pain put him in a most furious passion, and like you, he vowed to take a severe revenge.

10. "He accordingly procured a little hazle stick, and thrust it through the hole into the bee-hive, twisting it about therein. By these means, he killed several of the little animals; but in an instant, all the swarm issued out and falling upon him, stung him in a thousand different places.

11. "You will naturally suppose that he uttered the most piercing cries, and rolled upon the ground in the excess of his agony. His father ran to him, but could not without the greatest difficulty put the bees to flight after having stung him so severely, that he was confined several days to his bed.

12. Thus you see, he was not very successful in his pursuit of revenge. I would advise you, therefore, to pass over his insult, and leave others to punish him without your taking any part in it. Besides, he is a wicked boy, and much stronger than you are; so that your ability to obtain revenge may be doubtful.” ·

13. I must own, replied Philip, that your advice seems very good. So come along with me, and I will go and tell my father the whole matter, and I think he will not be anwith me. It is not the cane that I value on any other consideration than that it was my father's present, and I would wish to convince him that I take care of every thing he gives me."

gry

14. He and his friend then went together, and Philip told his father what had happened, who thanked Stephen for the good advice he had given his son, and gave Philip another cane exactly like the first.

15. A few days afterwards Philip saw this ill-natured boy fall as he was carrying home a very heavy log of wood, which he could not get up again. Philip ran to him, and replaced it on his shoulder.

16. Young Robinson was quite ashamed at the thought