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128 WILD LIFE UNDER THE EQUATOR. 
heard you call for the missing one, and could detect de- 
spair in the tone of your voice! | 
When the young fall from the nest I have watched 
your anxiety, and when danger threatened them I have 
seen you brace up your courage ;.and how angry then you 
did look, with your little feathers all standing out as if you 
were ready for a fight! When thestorms had tumbled 
down the little nest you had built with so much trouble, 
how distressed you seemed to be, and how industrious 
you were to build another one! So, little birdies, I found 
that, like man, you have your joys, your cares, your troub- 
les, and your sorrows. The stormy billows of life are 
also for you. I love you the more for this. I wish I 
.were a poet, so that my lyre could sing songs to you, and 
I might tell you_a softer tale than that which the night- 
ingale tells to us. 
Dear little birds, I thank you for all the joys you have 
given me during my wanderings. Your songs and mel- 
odies have often cheered me when wearied and lonely. 
Your plumage I have admired, and often have I exclaim- 
ed— Little birds, how gggautiful you are!” Ithank you 
for the many days I have passed pleasantly while watch- 
ing you; for I love dearly to look at you, to study 
your habits, to see how nice and loving you are. Many 
times I have said to myself, when admiring you—“ Little 
birdie, do come to me, so that I may kiss thee and feel 
thy little beak upon my lips.” O God, how kind to 
man thou art! for he is able-to understand thy works: 
The wonders of th¥ creation he can admire, so that he may 
praise thee for thy goodness. 
And now I will speak to you of some little birds of 
which we knew nothing, of little birds that had no name, 
