s appropriate station, commenced instantly to work; and before
nightfall, they had jointly completed an arched canopy over the young
brood in the corner where they lay, and securely covered them against a
succeeding blast. Calculating the time occupied by them in performing
this piece of architecture, it appeared evident that the young must
have perished from cold and hunger before any single pair could have
executed half the job.

THE SKYLARK.

A gentleman was travelling on horseback, a short time since, in
Norfolk, England, when a lark dropped on the pommel of his saddle, and,
spreading its wings in a submissive manner, cowered to him. He stopped
his horse, and sat for some time in astonishment, looking at the bird,
which he supposed to be wounded; but on endeavoring to take it, the
lark crept round him, and placed itself behind: turning himself on the
saddle, to observe it, the poor animal dropped between the legs of the
horse, and remained immovable. It then struck him that the poor thing
was pursued, and, as the last resource, hazarded its safety with him.
The gentleman looked up, and discovered a hawk hovering directly over
them; the poor bird again mounted the saddle, under the eye of its
protector; and the disappointed hawk shifting his station, the little
fugitive, watching his opportunity, darted over the hedge, and was hid
in an instant.

THE TITMOUSE.

During the time of incubation, the natural timidity of birds is greatly
lessened. The following instance, given by W. H. Hill, of Gloucester,
England, illustrates this: "Some time since, a pair of blue titmice
built their nest in the upper part of an old pump, fixing on the pin,
on which the handle worked. It happened that, during the time of
building the nest and laying the eggs, the pump had not been used: when
again set going, the female was sitting, and it was naturally expected
that the motion of the pump-handle would drive her away. The young
brood were hatched safely, however, without any other misfortune than
the loss of part of the tail of the sitting bird, which was rubbed off
by the friction of the pump-handle; nor did they appear disturbed by
the visitors who were frequently looking at them."

THE CANARY-BIRD.

_Miscellaneous Anecdotes._--At a public exhibition of birds, some years
ago, in London, a canary had been taught to act the part of a deserter,
and flew away pursued by two others, who appeared to apprehend him. A
lighted candl