ight, will
hardly be able to sustain himself when the presence of his parents is
withdrawn.

The robins know very well that children grow weary of long lectures;
so they give them here a little and there a little instruction, as
occasion demands.

They are decided in their family government, but not severe. Their
children are taught to obey promptly and cheerfully, but they have no
slavish fear of their parents. Their presence is not regarded as a
restraint; for, at all suitable times, they have freely permitted
their little ones to laugh and frolic to their hearts' content. They
willingly listen to all the plans of the birdlings, and lend an
attentive ear to the story of their joys and their sorrows. Their
sympathy is never withheld; their griefs are never considered as of no
consequence because they are brief and soon forgotten.

The parent birds do not leave their young alone but a little while at
a time. They often fly home to see them, and sometimes perch on the
walnut-tree, and talk with them. Their musical chirpings are pleasant
to hear. We don't understand the bird-language; but we judge, by the
soft tones, that it is something kind and agreeable they are saying.
Perhaps they are talking about their plans for the future, when they
all know how to use their wings, and can fly about together.

Very often, during the day, the robins bring worms to fill the gaping
mouths. It is surprising how much they eat. No wonder they have grown
plump and large, for they eat and sleep as much as they please. We
expect soon to see them flying about from tree to tree, and hopping
along the ground. We hope that great cat, which steps about so softly,
will never find them. She is welcome to all the rats and mice she can
put her paws on, but we never like to see her climb a tree, for we
fear she will destroy some of our cheerful friends, who build near the
house in full confidence that they shall not be disturbed.

The young robins are not lonely in their rural home. The
plainly-dressed sparrows and the brilliant yellow-birds look in upon
them, and, now and then, their cousin, the oriole, comes, clad in the
richest golden plumage, and sings them a song. If he had dipped his
feathers in the gorgeous sunset he could not be more beautiful. The
delicate little humming-birds sip nectar from the deep horns of the
honeysuckle; and the red-winged starling, in his glossy black coat,
and his dashing scarlet epaulette, occasionally comes