STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 285 



the heron would not become familiar with any 

 one, not even the person who fed it ; in fact, it 

 never was friendly with any one but myself. 

 On my return after the absence alluded to, it 

 recognized me instantly, and testified its joy by 

 screaming and flapping its wings. It never, 

 indeed, uttered a sound at the presence of any 

 other person." 



I must make the heron play his part in a 

 fable, I guess. I am not sure but I can teach 

 him to use his long bill to advantage, in help- 

 ing to pick out some of the faults which one 

 occasionally meets with among mankind. I 

 mean to try him, at any rate. So here comes 

 the fable of 



THE HERONS AND THE HERRINGS. 



A Heron came down from his home in the sky, 

 To the court of his cousins the fishes, 



With despatches so heavy he scarcely could fly. 

 And his bosom brimful of good wishes. 



n. 



That he was unfriendly to Herrings, he said, 

 He hoped there would be no suspicion; 



His government wished to convert them instead, 

 And this was the end of his mission. 



