64 A "FAIRY" STORY. 



in spring and summer, we shall see thrushes, 

 blackbirds, robins, and many other birds all 

 actively engaged in searching for worms and 

 insects to supply the needs of their respective 

 families. All through the day we must think of 

 the tender creature we have undertaken to rear, 

 giving it every half-hour as much food as it 

 desires, and keeping it warmly covered from 

 cold and draughts, lest its limbs should be 

 attacked by cramp. 



This ailment seems incurable, and is the cruel 

 fate of most fledglings that are brought away from 

 their parents, because people forget that the 

 warmth of the mother-bird is essential to the life 

 of the callow brood, and I, for one, never promote 

 the rearing of young wild birds unless, as in the 

 case of a motherless waif like my Fairy, we try 

 to save a little innocent life by doing what we can 

 to imitate its natural bringing up. Absolute tame- 

 ness can only be attained by unvarying gentle 

 treatment. Never has Fairy heard a harsh word, or, 

 as far as I know, has she had a fright of any kind. 



A single grip of Mungo's cruel little jaws would 

 end her life in a moment, but Fairy does not know 



