48 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



pets. They will live in boxes spread with moist 

 earth, and as for food, they enjoy such leaves as 

 we ourselves eat, as lettuce and cabbage. 



They like to creep under a convenient piece 

 of bark or an old board, and we must remem- 

 ber that they are most active at night. If 

 you give them a large wire-covered box, they 

 will lay eggs in the springtime, and after a 

 few weeks you may have a fine brood of little 

 snails. 



During the summer months most of the snails 

 either burrow in the sand or seek sheltered spots 

 under logs or pieces of bark. They then retire 

 into their shells as far as possible, and remain 

 dormant till the autumn or winter rains call them 

 out to their active life once more. 



During their period of retirement they are 

 sometimes found by hungry birds like the blue 

 jays, which break open the brittle shells with 

 their strong bills, and cruelly devour the sleeping 

 occupants. I think the plumage of the blue jay 

 is much more to be admired than his character; 

 for he is a willful and cruel destroyer. 



In all our dealings with animals, let us not imi- 

 tate the jay; but on the other hand, let us not in- 

 flict unnecessary pain, nor take any life wantonly. 

 And as we become acquainted with these humble 



