RUE STORY.

ONCE, when I lived in the country, some robins built a nest in a
lilac-bush in the garden. One day I looked in the nest, and saw one
little green egg. Two or three days after, I saw three more little green
eggs, and pretty soon what did I see there but four little cunning
baby-birdies?

The old birds seemed so happy as they fed their little ones, who opened
their mouths wide to take the food in, that I loved dearly to watch
them.

One night there came a terrible storm of wind and rain. When I awoke in
the morning, and opened my window, there were the old robins flying
about the garden in great distress, making such a dreadful cry, that I
went out to see what was the matter. What do you think I saw?

The pretty nest was on the ground, torn in pieces by the wind; and the
little baby-birds lay in the cold wet grass, crying pitifully. The old
birds were flying about, and beating the grass with their wings.

I ran to the house, and found an old tin pail. I lined this with nice
hay from Billy's stable, picked up the poor little robins, and put them
in the warm dry hay. Then I hung the pail on a branch of the bush, tied
it firmly with some twine, and went into the house to watch the old
birds from my window.

They looked first on one side, then on the other, to see that there was
nobody near. At last they flew to the old pail, and stood on its edge.
Pretty soon they began to sing as if they were just as happy as they
could be.

I think they liked the old pail just as well as their pretty nest; for
they lived in it till the little baby-birdies were able to fly, and to
feed themselves.

One day I looked in the pail, and it was empty. The birdies had grown
up, and had flown away.

HANNAH PAULDING.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

THE KINGFISHER.

WHERE the white lilies quiver
By the sedge in the river,
I fly in and out,
I hunt all about;
For I am the daring kingfisher,
kingfisher!

Rod and line have not I,
But, a fish when I spy,
From the tree-top I start,
And down, down, I dart;
For I am the daring kingfisher, kingfisher!

My dinner I make,
My pleasure I take,
And the fish must be quick
That would parry my trick;
For I am the daring kingfisher, kingfisher!