rd or more,
While the nest is snugly builded,
Farthest from the outer door.

But, so wise are they, this archway
From the entrance to the nest,
Is inclining ever upward,
That no rain within may rest.

So the pink-white eggs are laid there,
Safe from harm, till baby-birds
Chirrup forth to take their places,
'Mongst the self-sustaining herds.

{192}

Smallest of the swallow species,
Homeliest, too, yet favorites dear,
For their graceful, airy movements,
And their simple, social cheer.

Found are they from North to South-land,
Known of every tribe and race;--
Swift in flight, yet swinging, swaying,
Skimming low from place to place.

Parent-birds care less for young ones,
Than do other swallow-kind;--
Push them off half-fledged and timid,
Each his food and home to find.

Thus they, many a time, fall prey to
Hawks and crows, their enemies;--
Even the nest sometimes is entered
By the snakes and fleas and flies.

Swallows migrate in the Winter,
From the cold to warmer climes,
Flying back as Spring approaches,
To the haunts of former times.

{193}

"Ne'er one swallow makes a Summer,"
Is a saying everywhere;--
But when swallows come in myriads,
Blessed Summer-time is here.

{194}

_THE MOCKING-BIRD._

The New World boasts the Mocking-bird
And whether caged or free,
His wondrous voice pours forth in songs
Of rarest melody.

His notes swell out and die away,
As if a joyous soul
Were wrought to highest ecstacy,
All music to control.

{195}

His native notes are bold and full,
And then he'll imitate,
Till it would seem the feathered tribe
Were all arrayed in state.

He'll whistle for the dog or cat,
Will squeak like chicken, hurt,
And cluck and crow and bark and mew,
So comical and curt.

While blue-birds warble, swallows scream,
Or hens will cackle clear.
In robin's song, the whip-poor-will
Pours forth his plaint so near.

{196}

Canaries, hang-birds, nightingales,
He echoes loud and long;
While they stand silent, mortified,
He triumphs in his song.

_THE BUSY BEES._

Why do the little busy bees
So dearly love their queen,
And wait upon and pay respect,
With watchful care and mien?

{197}

Because the queen lays all the eggs,
And mothers all the young,
While every father