STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



they all are, darting from tlie wall to the 

 wood-shed, and from the shed to the cider- 

 mill. They seemed so pretty, with their little 

 bodkin bills, and their wings rounded off like 

 pin-cushions. But what should that wren do ? 

 It was years ago, and it took me a long time 

 and a hard struggle to forgive him, for it 

 almost broke my heart. Do ! he took each of 

 those innocent birds, knocked it on the head, 

 and tumbled it out on the ground! And when 

 the old ones returned, 



" Sad was the home so joyous before ; 



They mourned for their little ones long; 

 Often and often they entered their door, 

 But cheered it no more with a song." 



