ter it.

The old robins stood on one of the branches of the walnut-tree, and
endeavoured to persuade their timid brood to come to them. They were
not stern and severe, for they had not forgotten their own youth, and
they sympathized deeply with these children; but the father found he
must be decided, so he told them, (as it seemed,) authoritatively,
that they must hesitate no longer. He would count one--two--three; and
when he said three, they must spread their wings and do as well as
they could. The mother smiled lovingly upon them, and they determined
to obey, whatever effort it might cost. "One--two--three," counted the
robin, in his full, musical tones. The birdlings fluttered their
wings, and strained every nerve to alight by the side of their
parents. With what joy they felt their feet clinging round the branch!
How elated they were with their success! They chirped continually, and
merry and brisk was the conversation. "What is this?" one asked, and
"What is that?" said another, till it seemed as if the old birds would
be weary of their questions; but they never lost their patience; they
thought the little folks remarkably intelligent.

When they were rested, away flew the birds to the elm, and called to
their young. Grown courageous by success, they quickly followed, and,
through the whole day, they were flying about from tree to tree,
enjoying themselves highly.

At sunset, I saw them on the locust-tree, near the cottage, inhaling
its delicious perfume, with their faces toward the west, wondering,
perhaps, what occasioned all that glorious beauty, as the sun escaped
from their view.

Presently they flew to a great cherry-tree, and, from the chirping and
calling, we concluded they spent the night in its shelter. How strange
it must have been to them, this first night of their perching! The sky
was clear, the stars twinkled, and the half-moon shed her silvery
light on the earth, and gleamed through the cherry-leaves, as it had
done through the honeysuckles; but it was not home, that cherry-tree,
and they sighed as they thought of their birthplace. They sat close to
their mother's side, and felt that, after all, where she was, was the
best place for them. They curled up one foot into the soft down, and
turned back their heads till their bills were beneath their wings. The
lids slowly closed over their eyes, and they slept quietly and
sweetly, till wakened in the morning by the warbling of songsters who
welcome