BirdTHE BIRD.
Bird
A boy was walking with his mother; he saw a bird fly past, with some food in its mouth.
Boy.Is not that bird hungry? for Isee that he carries his meat fast in his mouth.
Mother.She is a mother bird, and has young ones in her nest.
Boy.Who makes the nest?
Mother.The old birds.
Boy.How do they make the nests?
Mother.Some make their nests of sticks; some of dry leaves; some use clay; some straw: they use all sorts of things; each kind of bird knows what is fit for its use.
Boy.What do they make nests for?
Mother.To nurse their young in.
Boy.And are they warm?
Mother.The old birds line them with moss, with wool, or with feathers, to make them warm and soft.
Boy.Where do they get all these things?
Mother.They fly a great way to fetch them; and sometimes they pluck their own breasts to supply down for their young to lie upon.
Boy.How kind they are!
Mother.So kind are good parents to their children.
Boy.Pray why do the birds sing?
Mother.One old bird sings whilst one sits on the eggs.
Boy.Why do they sit on the eggs?
Mother.To keep them warm, so that they may hatch.
Boy.What do you mean by that, pray, mother?
Mother.The young birds break the shells and come out.
Boy.What do they do then? do they fly?
Mother.Not at first: babes, you know, cannot walk.
Boy.But what do young birds do?
Mother.They lie in the nests, and gape for food.
Boy.And do they get it?
Mother.The old birds fly far andnear to fetch it. You saw one with some in its bill.
Boy.I see a bird now with some in its mouth.
Mother.Do not make a noise, lest you fright the poor thing.—Hush! hush!—let us creep gently, and see the bird go to her nest.
They saw the bird alight on a bush just by: she hopped from twig to twig till she got to the nest: she gave the little worm which she had in her beak to her young, and then flew away in search of more.
Boy.Now may I talk?
Mother.Yes, my dear;—are you not pleased to see the birds?
Boy.Yes, mother.—When will the little ones fly?
Mother.When they have got all their feathers.
Boy.How will they learn?
Mother.The old birds will teach them to fly as I taught you to walk.
Boy.I hope the little birds will always love their mothers. I shall always love you; mother, pray kiss me.