ld of either wing. But their burden was rather heavy; so, after
carrying it seaward about six or seven yards, they let it down, and two
more came, picked it up, and carried it a little farther. By means of
thus relieving each other they managed to reach a rock where they
concluded they would be safe.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: AN EXCITING TAIL.]

[Illustration]

Y--THE YAK.

_In Central Asia, far away,
'Mid Thibet's pastures green,
With shaggy hide and bushy tail,
The valued Yak is seen._

[Illustration]

Z--THE ZEBRA.

_As strong and swift as any horse,
The Zebra skims the plain;
With glossy bands of deepest black,
Long ears, and upright mane._

SHEEP AND LAMBS.

_The sheep were in the fold at night;
And now a new-born lamb
Totters and trembles in the light,
Or bleats beside its dam.

How anxiously the mother tries,
With every tender care,
To screen it from inclement skies,
And the cold morning air!

The hail-storm of the east is fled,
She seems with joy to swell;
While ever, as she bends her head,
I hear the tinkling bell.

So while for me a mother's prayer
Ascends to Heaven above,
May I repay her tender care
With gratitude and love._

[Illustration]

[Illustration: THE WATER-RAT.

THE WILD CAT.

THE WEASEL.

THE SYRIAN DOG.]

[Illustration: THE GLOW-WORM.

THE LOCUST.

THE HERCULES BEETLE.

THE CHAMELEON.]

[Illustration]

THE CAPTIVE SQUIRREL

"Squirrel--squirrel lithe and wee!
Thy fur's as soft as down can be,
Thy teeth as ivory are white,
Yet hard enough through nuts to bite.

"Squirrel--squirrel lithe and wee!
How gladly would I purchase thee--
But mother says: 'Twill never do,
Thou nibblest table, book and shoe.'"

Squirrel--squirrel hung his head;
"Oh! speak not thus," he sadly said,
"Heav'n gave me once a woodland home
Where I the livelong day might roam,
And gaily leap from branch to twig
As blithe and merry as a grig;
Then came a wicked man who laid
The snare by which I'm captive made,
And now 'twill be my mournful doom
Instead of in the forest free,
To live pent in a narrow room
By way of bush or stately tree!
What wonder if, thus sad and lorn,
From all my dearest habits torn,
A-foraging I sometimes go
And get a snubbing or a blow?
Child, should you on some summer's day,
Within the greenwood chance to stray,
I pray you that from me you greet
The happy creatures that you meet,
The faw