desired them to have no fears, but to follow him; he led them to the top of a high tree, in which was a nest of Magpies, who had the day before made an excursion round the orchard, and were conversing on what they had seen, but in such a confused manner, that there was no such thing as understanding them; one chattered of one thing, and one of another. In short, all were eager to speak, and none inclined to hear.

What a set of foolish ill bred little creatures are these, said the Cock Redbreast: if they would talk one at a time, what each says might afford entertainment to the rest; but, by chattering all together in this manner, they are quite disagreeable. Take warning from them, my nestlings, and avoid the fault which renders them so ridiculous.

So saying, he flew on, and they soon saw a Cuckoo, surrounded by a number of birds, who had been pecking at her till she had scarce a feather left upon her breast, while she kept repeating her own dull note, Cuckoo! Cuckoo! incessantly. Get back again to your own country, said a Thrush, what business have you in ours, sucking the eggs, and taking the nest of any bird you meet with. Surely it would be sufficient could you have the privilege of building for yourself, as we do who are natives; but you have no right to seize upon our labours, and devour our offspring. The Cuckoo deserves his fate, said the Hen Redbreast: though I am far from bearing enmity to foreign birds in general, I detest such characters as his. I wonder mankind do not drive Cuckoos away; but I suppose it is on account of their being the harbingers of summer.

How different is the character of the Swallow; he comes here to enjoy the mildness of the climate, and

confers a benefit on the land, by destroying many noxious insects. I rejoice to see that race sporting in the air, and have had high pleasure in conversing with them; for, as they are great travellers, they have much to relate. But come, let us go on.

Peep into this ones; they did What a set of

They soon came to a hollow tree. hole, said the cock bird to his young so, and beheld a nest of young Owls. ugly creatures, said Dicky: surely you do not intend to show your frightful faces in the world! Did ever any one see such dull eyes, and such a frightful muffle of feathers!

Whoever you are that reproach us with the want of beauty, you do not show your own good sense, replied one of the little Owls; perhaps we may have qualities which render us as amiable as yourselves; you do not appear to know that we are night, and not day birds: the quantity of feathers in which we are muffled up is very comfortable to us when we are out in the cold; and I can show you a pair of eyes, which, if you are little birds, will frighten you out of your wits; and, if I could fly, I would let you see what else I could do. He then drew back the film which was given him that the strong light of the day might not injure his sight, and stared full at Dicky, who was struck with astonish

ment.

At that instant the parent Owl returned; and, seeing a parcel of strangers looking into her nest, she set up a screeching, which made the whole party take wing. As soon as they stopped to rest, the Cock Redbreast, who was really frightened, as well as his mate and family, recollected himself, and said, Well, Dicky, how did you like the Owl's eyes? I fancy they proved

brighter than you expected; but, had they even been as ugly as you supposed, it was very rude and silly in you to notice it. You ought never to censure any bird for natural deformities, since no one contracts them by choice; and what appears disageeable to you, may be pleasing in the eyes of another. Besides, you should be particularly careful not to insult strangers, because you cannot know their deserts, nor what power they may have of revenging themselves. You may think yourself happy if you never meet one of these Owls by night, for, I assure you, they often feed upon little birds us; and you have no reason to think they will spare you, after the affront you have given them. But come, However, before we give any further account of their adventures, let us return to their benefactors.

like

let us fly on.

JUST as Mrs. Benson and the young lady and gentleman were preparing to leave the room, after having witnessed the happy meeting of the Redbreast family at their tea-table, the servant entered and informed them that a poor woman was at the gate, who had been ordered to attend in the morning. Mrs. Benson desired she might come up. Well, good woman, said the benevolent lady, how does your husband do? Thanks to your goodness, madam, and the blessing of God, quite cheery, said the woman.

I am happy, said the lady, to find you in better spirits than you were the other night, and do not doubt you will do very well. I will order some meat and

bread to be sent you every day this week, and will also assist you in clothing the children. Harriet's eyes

glistened with benevolence at seeing the woman, whose distress had so greatly affected her, thus comforted; and slipping her purse, which contained seven shillings, into her mama's hand, she begged her to take it for the woman. You shall, my dear, said Mrs. Benson, have the pleasure of relieving her yourself; give this half-crown to her. Miss Harriet, with a delight which none but the compassionate can know, extended the hand of charity. The woman received her benefaction with grateful acknowledgments; and, praying that the Almighty might shower down his choicest blessings on this worthy family, respectfully took leave and returned to her husband, who, by means of the nourishment Mrs. Benson supplied her with, gathered strength hourly.

As soon as she was gone Mrs. Benson informed her son and daughter, that she intended to take them with her to Farmer Wilson's, where she made no doubt they would pass a happy day; and desired them to go and get equipped for the journey, while she dressed herself. The young folks obeyed without hesitation; and, having given their maid very strict injunctions to feed Robin and the Linnet, they attended their mama to the coach. Leaving this happy party to enjoy their pleasant drive, let us go back to the Robins whom we left on the wing in search of further adventures.

They soon alighted on a tree, in which was a Mockbird*, who, instead of singing any note of his own,

* The Mock-bird is properly a native of America, but is introduced here for the sake of the moral.