The cowbird feeds in fields near cattle. It makes no nest, but, like the cuckoo, lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, usually in those of a smaller bird. The young cowbird, therefore, is generally larger than the other nestlings, and often gets more than its share of the food; but the deception does not seem to be noticed by the foster-mother.

Martins, bluebirds, and some other small birds are fond of making their nests and rearing their young in bird-houses built for them, and placed on poles or up in trees near dwelling-houses.

Swallows like to build their mud nests under the eaves of barns and other buildings near the habitations of man. They are sometimes therefore called barn-swallows. They may often be seen flying about in numbers just before a heavy thunder-storm.

Some birds are remarkable for their peculiar notes. Some say "bob-white," some “bobolink,' and others" whippoorwill." An Australian bird. known as the laughing-jackass, is so called because he fairly "ha-ha-ha-ha's," in his laughable, chattering conversation. Parrots are great mimics, and can be taught to say many words, and even short sentences, very plainly and distinctly.

Birds are of use to man in many ways. Some provide us with highly prized flesh foods and mil

lions of eggs; some, with finest feathers for our downy and comfortable pillows; others, with beautiful feathers for various kinds of trimmings. Some destroy myriads of destructive insects; others carry important messages long distances over land or sea. Others, like the canary, are beautiful singers, and are much prized in the home.

The study of birds and their habits is known as ornithology. One can hardly fail to think more of the feathery tribe after reading the following interesting stories about them.

THE KING OF BIRDS

THE eagle is called the king of birds, as the lion is called the king of beasts. As the lion is a beast of prey, so the eagle is a bird of prey. In other words, he lives by feeding upon other birds and animals.

Eagles make their nests in tall trees or on ragged rocks, and are said to live to a great age. They have long been regarded as the emblems of war and power.

Like the lion, the eagle is stealthy and quick in his movements, and has powerful claws, called talons, and a very sharp, hooked, powerful beak.

As the lion bounds toward his prey with a roar, so the eagle starts for his prey with a piercing shriek. "He glides through the air like a falling star, and, like a flash of lightning, comes upon his timorous quarry."

Eagles sometimes hunt their prey in pairs, the male and female operating together in capturing swans and other large birds in their flight, taking turns in their attacks, or one going above and the other below the bird being pursued.

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At other times," says Audubon, “when these eagles, sailing in search of prey, discover a goose, a duck, or a swan that has lighted on the water, they accomplish its destruction in a manner that is worthy of our attention. Well aware that the water-fowl have it in their power to dive at their approach, and thereby elude their attempts upon them, they ascend in the air, in opposite directions, over the lake or river on which the object they are desirous of possessing has been observed. Both reach a certain height, immediately after which one of them glides with great swiftness toward the prey; the latter, meantime, aware of the eagle's intention, dives the moment before he reaches the spot. The pursuer then rises in the air, and is met by his mate, which glides toward the water bird that has just emerged to breathe, and forces it to plunge again beneath the surface,

to escape the talons of this second assailant. The first eagle now poising itself in the place where its mate formerly was, rushes anew, to force the quarry to make another plunge. By thus alternately gliding, in rapid and oft-repeated rushes, over the ill-fated bird, they soon fatigue it, when it stretches out its neck, swims deeply, and makes for the shore in the hope of concealing itself among the rank weeds. But this is of no avail; for the eagles follow it in all its motions; and the moment it approaches the margin one of them darts upon it."

Franklin did not have a high opinion of the eagle. He said: "He is a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labors of the fishing-hawk; and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this injustice, he is never in good case, but, like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy. Besides, he is a rank coward; the little king-bird, not bigger than a sparrow, attacks him boldly, and drives him out of the district."

Eagles, of course, only act out their nature. Still, as Franklin observes, there are some things about them we do not admire. To live off from the efforts, the labors, and the earnings of others is cowardly, lazy, and mean. We should always seek to earn our living by our own efforts, and not by feeding or filching upon others.

TEACHING HER YOUNG TO FLY

THE wise man says that "the way of the eagle in the air is wonderful." He is a master flyer.

But, as a child has to learn to walk, so the young eagles have to learn to fly. The mother eagle is their instructor. Moses, the ancient lawgiver and first Bible writer, describing how she does this, says, "An eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings."

This fittingly describes the care and solicitude faithful parents have for their children in starting them out to make their way in the honorable pursuits of life.

EAGLE ATTACKS A BOY

Two boys, one five, the other seven, were playing one day in a field near the city of New York, while their parents were at dinner.