mother taught them to dress, telling them that neatness was a very essential thing, both for health, and also to render them agreeable in the eye of the world.

Robin was a very strong robust bird, not remarkable for his beauty; but there was a great briskness in his manner, which covered many defects; and he was very likely to attract notice. His father judged, from the tone of his chirpings, that he would be a very good songster.

Dicky had a remarkably fine plumage; his breast was of a beautiful red, his body and wings of an elegant mottled brown, and his eyes sparkled like diamonds.

Flapsy was also very pretty, but more distinguished for the elegance of her shape than for the variety and lustre of her feathers.

Pecksy had no outward charms to recommend her to notice; but these defects were supplied by the sweetness of her disposition. Her temper was constantly serene, she was ever attentive to the happiness of her parents, and would not have grieved them for the world; and her affection for her brothers and sister was so great, that she constantly preferred their interest to her own, of which we have lately given an instance.

The kind parents attended to them with unremitting affection, and made their daily visit to Master and Miss Benson, who very punctually discharged the benevolent office of feeding them. The Robin Redbreasts, made familiar by repeated favours, approached nearer and nearer to their little friends by degrees, and at length ventured to enter the room and feed upon the breakfast-table. Miss Harriet was delighted at this circumstance, and Frederick was quite transported; he longed to catch the birds; but his mama told him that would

be the very means to drive them away. Miss Harriet entreated him not to frighten them on any account; and he was prevailed on to forbear; but could not help expressing a wish that he had them in a cage, that he might feed them all day long.

And do you really think, Frederick, said Mrs. Benson, that these little delicate creatures are such gluttons as to desire to be fed all day long? Could you tempt them to do it, they would soon die; but they know better, and as soon as their appetites are satisfied, always leave off eating. Many a little boy may learn a lesson from them. Do not you recollect one of your acquaintance, who, if an apple-pie, or any thing else that he calls nice, is set before him, will eat till he makes himself sick? Frederick looked ashamed, being conscious that he was too much inclined to indulge his love of delicacies. Well, said his mama, I see you understand who I mean, Frederick, so we will say no more on that subject; only, when you meet with that little gentleman, give my love to him, and tell him I beg he will be as moderate as his Redbreasts.

THE Cock bird, having finished his breakfast, flew out at the window, followed by his mate; and as soon as they were out of sight, Mrs. Benson continued her discourse. And would you really confine these sweet creatures in a cage, Frederick, merely to have the pleasure of feeding them? Should you like to be always shut up in a little room, and think it sufficient if you were supplied with victuals and drink? Is there no enjoyment in running about, jumping, and going from place to place? Do not you like to keep company with little boys and girls? And is there no pleasure in breathing the fresh air? Though these little animals are inferior to you, there is no doubt but they are capable of enjoyments similar to these; and it must be a dreadful life for a poor bird to be shut up in a cage,

where he cannot so much as make use of his wings; where he is separated from his natural companions; and where he cannot possibly receive that refreshment which the air must afford to him when at liberty to fly to such a height. But this is not all, for many a poor bird is caught and taken away from its family, after it has been at the trouble of building a nest, has perhaps laid its eggs, or even hatched its young ones, which are by this means exposed to certain destruction. It is likely that these very Redbreasts may have young ones, for this is the season of the year for their hatching; and I rather think they have, from the circumstance of their always coming together. If that is the case, said Miss Harriet, it would be pity indeed to confine them. But why, mama, if it is wrong to catch birds, did you at one time keep Canary-birds?

The case is very different in respect to Canary-birds, my dear, said Mrs. Benson; by keeping them in a cage, I did them a kindness. I considered them as little foreigners who claimed my hospitality. This kind of bird came originally from a warm climate; they are in their nature very susceptible of cold, and would perish in the open air in our winters; neither does the food which they feed on grow plentifully in this country; and as here they are always bred in cages, they do not know how to procure the materials for their nest abroad. And there is another particular which would greatly distress them were they to be turned loose, which is, the persecution they would be exposed to from other birds. I remember once to have seen a poor hen Canary-bird, which had been turned loose because it could not sing; and surely no creature could be more miserable. It was starving for want of victuals, famish

ing with thirst, shivering with cold, and looked terrified to the greatest degree; while a parcel of Sparrows and Chaffinches pursued it from place to place, twittering and chirping with every mark of insult. I could not help fancying the little creature to be like a foreigner just landed from some distant country, followed by a rude rabble of boys, who were ridiculing him because his dress and language were strange to them.

And what became of the poor little creature, mama? said Miss Harriet. I was going to tell you, my dear, replied Mrs. Benson; I ordered the servant to bring me a cage, with seed and water in their usual places; this I caused to be hung on a tree, next to that in which the little sufferer in vain endeavoured to hide herself among the leaves from her cruel pursuers. No sooner did the servant retire than the poor little wretch flew to it. I immediately had the cage brought into the parlour, where I experienced great pleasure in observing what happiness the poor creature enjoyed in her deliverance. I kept it some years; but not choosing to confine her in a little cage, I had a large one bought, and procured a companion for her of her own species. I supplied them with materials for building; and from them proceeded a little colony, which grew so numerous, that know I you them to Mr. Bruce to put into his aviary, where you have seen them enjoying themselves. So now I hope I have fully accounted for having kept Canary-birds in a cage. You have indeed, mama, said Harriet.

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I have also, said Mrs. Benson, occasionally kept Larks. In severe winters, vast numbers of them come to this country from a colder climate, and many perish. Quantities of them are killed and sold for the spit; and

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