You are a good bird, Dicky, said his mother; but such an offence as this must be repented of before it is pardoned. At this instant her mate returned with a fine worm, and looked as usual for Robin, who lay skulking by himself. Give it, said the mother, to Dicky; Robin must be served last this morning; nay, I do not know whether I shall permit him to have any victuals all day. Dicky was very unwilling to mortify his brother; but, on his mother's commanding him not to detain his father, he opened his mouth, and swallowed the delicious mouthful. What can be the matter, said the good father, when he had emptied his mouth: surely none of the little ones have been naughty? But I cannot stop to inquire at present, for I left another fine worm, which may be gone if I do not make haste back.

As soon as he departed, Dicky renewed his entreaties that Robin might be forgiven; but, as he sat swelling with anger and disdain, because he fancied that the eldest should not be shoved to the outside of his mother's wing, while the others were fed, she would not hear a word in his behalf. The father soon came and fed Flapsy, and then thinking it best for his mate to continue her admonitions, he flew off again; during her father's absence, Pecksy, whose little heart was full of affectionate concern for the punishment of her brother, thus attempted to comfort him.

Dear Robin, do not grieve, I will give you my breakfast, if my mother will let me. Oh, said Robin, I do not want any breakfast; if I may not be served first, I will have none. Shall I ask my mother to forgive you, said Pecksy? I do not want any of your intercessions, replied he; if you had not been a parcel

of ill natured things I should not have been pushed about as I am.

Come back, Pecksy, said the mother, who overheard them, I will not have you converse with so naughty a bird. I forbid every one of you even to go near him. The father then arrived, and Pecksy was fed. You may rest yourself, my dear, said the mother, your morning's task is ended. Why, what has Robin done? asked he. What I am sorry to relate, she replied; quarreled with his brothers and sisters. Quarreled with his brothers and sisters? you surprise me: I could not have suspected he would have been either so foolish or so unkind. O, this is not all, said the mother, for he presumes on being the eldest, and claims half the nest to himself when we are absent, and now is sullen because he is disgraced, and not fed first as usual. If this is the case, replied the father, leave me to settle this business, my dear, and pray go into the air a little, for you seem to be sadly vexed. I am disturbed, said she, I confess; for, after all my care and kindness, I did not expect such a sad return as this. I am sorry to expose this perverse bird even to you, but he will not be corrected by me. I will do as you desire, go into the air a little; so saying, she repaired to a neighbouring tree, where she anxiously waited the event of her mate's admonition.

As soon as the mother departed, the father thus addressed the delinquent. And so, Robin, you want to be master of the nest? A pretty master you would make indeed, who do not know even how to govern your own temper! I will not stand to talk much to you now, but depend upon it I will not suffer you to use any of the family ill, particularly your good mother

and if you persist in obstinacy, I will certainly turn you out of the nest before you can fly. These threatenings intimidated Robin, and he also began to be very hungry as well as cold; he therefore promised to behave better for the future, and his brother and sisters pleaded earnestly that he might be forgiven and restored to his usual place.

I can say nothing in respect to the last particular, replied the father, that depends upon his mother; but as it is his first offence, and he seems to be very sorry, I will myself pardon it, and intercede for him with his mother. On this he left the nest to seek for her. Return, my dear, said he, to your beloved family; Robin seems sensible of his offence, and longs to ask your forgiveness. Pleased at this intelligence, the mother raised her drooping head, and closed her wings, which hung mournfully by her sides, expressive of the dejection of her spirits. I fly to give it him, said she, and hastened into the nest. In the meanwhile Robin wished for, yet dreaded, her return.

As soon as he saw her he lifted up a supplicating eye, and in a weak tone (for hunger and sorrow had made him faint) he cried, Forgive me, dear mother, I will not again offend you. I accept your submission, Robin, said she, and will once more receive you to my wing; but indeed your behaviour has made me very unhappy. She then made room for him, he nestled closely to her side, and soon found the benefit of her fostering heat; but he was still hungry, yet he had not confidence to ask his father to fetch him any victuals; but this kind parent, seeing that his mother had received him into favour, flew with all speed to an adjacent field, where he soon met with a worm, which with tender love he presented to Robin,

who swallowed it with gratitude. Thus was peace restored to the nest, and the happy mother once more rejoiced that harmony reigned in the family.

A few days after a fresh disturbance took place. All the little Redbreasts, excepting Pecksy, in turn committed some fault or other, for which they were occasionally punished; but she was of so amiable a disposition, that it was her constant study to act with propriety, and avoid giving offence; on which account she was justly caressed by her parents with distinguished kindness. This excited the envy of the others, and they joined together to treat her ill, giving her the title of the Favourite; saying, that they made no doubt their father and mother would reserve the nicest morsels for their darling.

Poor Pecksy bore all their reproaches with patience, hoping that she should in time regain their good opinion by her gentleness and affection. But it happened one day, that, in the midst of their tauntings, their mother unexpectedly returned, who, hearing an uncommon noise among her young ones, stopped on the ivy to learn the cause; and as soon as she discovered it, she made her appearance at the entrance of the nest, with a countenance that showed she knew what was going

on.

Are these the sentiments, said she, that subsist in a family which ought to be bound together by love and kindness? Which of you has cause to reproach either your father or me with partiality? Do we not, with the exactest equality, distribute the fruits of our labours among you? And in what respect has poor Pecksy the preference, but in that praise which is justly her due, and which you do not strive to deserve? Has she

ever yet uttered a complaint against you, though, from the dejection of her countenance, which she in vain attempted to conceal, it is evident that she has suffered your reproaches for some days past? I positively command you to treat her otherwise, for it is a mother's duty to succour a persecuted nestling; and I will certainly admit her next my heart, and banish you all from that place you have hitherto possessed in it, if you suffer envy and jealousy to occupy your bosoms, instead of that tender love which she, as the kindest of Sisters, has a right to expect from you.

Robin, Dicky, and Flapsy, were quite confounded by their mother's reproof, and Pecksy, sorry that they had incurred the displeasure of so tender a parent, kindly endeavoured to soften her anger. That I have been vexed, my dear mother, said she, is true, but not so much as you suppose; and I am ready to believe that my dear brothers and sister were not in earnest in the severe things they said of me-perhaps they only meant to try my affection. I now entreat them to believe, that I would willingly resign the greatest pleasure in life, could I by that means increase their happiness; and so far from wishing for the nicest morsel, I would content myself with the humblest fare, rather than any of them should be disappointed. This tender speech had its desired effect; it recalled those sentiments of love which envy and jealousy had for a time banished : all the nestlings acknowledged their faults, their mother forgave them, a perfect reconciliation took place, to the great joy of Pecksy, and indeed of all parties.

All the nestlings continued very good for several days, and nothing happened worth relating; the little family were soon covered with feathers, which their