A BRIGAND BIRD. 



THE kea is an outlaw bird of New sheep killed for human consumption. 



Zealand for each of whose bills They learned to associate the idea of 



the government offers a reward meat with the living animal, and now 



of a shilling. The kea is a they kill the sheep for the meat with- 



gourmand. It prefers the kidney of a out waiting for human aid or consent, 



sheep to any other part of the beast. The Maoris have a legend about this 



Coming down out of the mountains bird to the effect that it used to be a 



in winter, it attacks the sheep, alight- strict vegetarian, building its nest on 



ing on their backs, and tearing away the ground. The sheep came and 



the hide and flesh until it reaches the trampled on the nests, and the birds 



titbits which it seeks. attacked them furiously, drawing 



How the birds learned to tear away blood. 



the skin to get at the flesh forms a They liked the flavor of flesh, and 



curious story .of the development of have ever since been eating it. The 



bird knowledge. The birds had been bird builds its nest in trees now, out of 



feeding on the refuse of cattle and the reach of the sheep's hoofs. 



THE BROOK. 



Little brook, little brook, 



You have such a happy look, 



Such a very merry manner as you swerve and curve and crook; 



And' your ripples, one by one, 



Reach each other's hands and run 



Like laughing little children in the sun! 



Little brook, sing to me, 



Sing about a bumble-bee 



That tumbled from a lily-bell and mumbled grumblingly 



Because he wet the film 



Of his wings and had to swim, 



While the water bugs raced round and laughed at him. 



Little brook, sing a song 



Of a leaf that sailed along 



Down the golden braided center of your current swift and strong, 



And the dragon-fly that lit 



On the tilting rim of it, 



And sailed away, and wasn't scared a bit! 



And sing how oft in glee 



Came a truant boy like me 



Who loved to lean and listen to your lilting melody, 



Till the gurgle and refrain 



Of your music in his brain 



Caused a happiness as deep to him as pain! 



Little brook, laugh and leap! 



Do not let the dreamer weep; 



Sing him all the songs of summer till he sink in softest sleep; 



And then sing soft and low 



Through his dreams of long ago, 



Sing back to him the rest he used to know. Anon. 



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