irdie, pretty birdie," that
Jack felt acquainted at once.

Mrs. Robin caught one crumb, swallowed it, and then, with a glance of
affection at Jack, returned to her duties in the tree.

The little robin hopped up nearer, and began picking up the bread, ever
and anon cocking his funny little head, and chirping pleasantly, as if
to thank her for her care. Then he returned to the bush, and flew up and
down, up and down, while Annie laughed, and shouted, and clapped her
hands, and called him the smartest bird she ever knew.

CHAPTER IV.

GETTING WORMS.

"Come, Dick," said Mrs. Robin, in an encouraging tone, after she had
related Jack's delight at his success. "Come, now, or your little
sisters will learn to fly before you do."

"I don't feel at all afraid," chirped Katy; "now Jack has learned, I
know I can."

"That is right, my dear," said her mother. "But come, Dick, your father
is getting impatient."

Dick reluctantly hopped up on the side of the nest.

"Now," said Mr. Robin, "I will give you one more chance to retrieve your
character. Spread your wings and fly away, or be content to remain in
the nest without food. For I will no longer feed so disobedient and
obstinate a bird."

Mrs. Robin hopped from branch to branch uneasily, while her husband was
speaking. She would not be guilty of the impropriety of interrupting
him; but she feared he was making a threat his parental affection would
not allow him to execute. "O, I'm sure Dick will try to be as brave as
his brother!" she said; "look, how he is enjoying himself, picking his
fill, and chirping to the dear little girl!"

"I'll chirp one, two, three," said his father, "and don't let me find
you here when I'm through."

Dick, though very much afraid, was more than half inclined to venture.
His father's threat of leaving him without food had terrified him; and
then he saw Jack in the enjoyment of plenty; but he could not quite make
up his mind to let go of the nest.

"Chirp, chirp," cried his father. Dick trembled, and at last ventured
to hop to the next bough; and before Mr. Robin had repeated the last
chirp, his mother went behind him and pushed him off.

Poor Dick was awfully frightened; but before he had time to scream, he
had alighted safely at the foot of the tree.

"O dear!" said he, straightening himself up with a braggadocio air.
"It's nothing at all. Here I am, safe and sound. I can fly now as well
as any bird."

Jack flew from the li