238 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



pain for a prize that was worth so little to 

 you ? "What can be done to prevent thought- 

 less children from robbing birds' nests? I 

 have written to Mrs. Sigourney, one of the 

 sweetest and most gifted bards of her sex, and 

 whose he'art, I know, is full of tenderness for 

 every thing that breathes — I have written to 

 her for an appeal to the little folks in behalf of 

 the birds; and she has sent me the following 

 lines, which she puts into the mouth of the 

 bird on her nest : 



" Boy, bright boy, 'neath the sunny sky, 

 What do you see, with that sparkling eye? 

 Why are you bending a glance so keen 

 On this quiet nook 'mid the branches green? 

 Have you spied my nest ? — I am faint with fear ! 

 Are you lifting your foot to climb to me here? 

 The school-bell rings! — You are called to go! 

 'Tis so bad to be tardy at school, you know. — 

 Hark to the shout of your comrade's play. — 

 Praise to our Father! He hastens away. 



"Lady! fair lady, who o'er the mead 

 Thy little child by the hand dost lead, 

 Pointing out to its wondering gaze 

 The flower that blooms, or the lamb that strays, 

 I tremble not at your upraised arm, 

 A mother never can do me harm. 

 Too well have her sorrows and cares refined, 

 To an angel's pity, her gentle mind. 



