78 MATESHIP WITH BIRDS 



air." "Some birds" (says a girl of tender years) 

 "take more care of their young than some people do 

 of their children." 



Among all these and many kindred novelties, 

 however, memory picks its way to the plaint of a 

 country child who was not allowed pets : "My father 

 says he will keep nothing about the place which is 

 not of use." Poor child! And poorer father! It 

 may be that compulsory devotion to the dairy soured 

 and separated his boyish will from the wind's will, 

 but that seems no good reason why he should carry 

 on the process of spiritual starvation. 



Mateship with birds does not stale; but, should 

 the early freshness and wonder dim with yourself, 

 there is a call to help retain it for others. I remem- 

 ber a class of quite small Australians being much 

 exercised in considering whether the ubiquitous 

 "little bird" really deserved its world-wide reputa- 

 tion for sagacity and tale-telling. Presently arose 

 the Sceptic. From the vantage points of a back seat, 

 seven years, and Acquired Knowledge, he laughed 

 the idea to scorn. 



"M' mother," he announced, "said a little bird 

 told her somethin' about me, and I found out after- 

 wards it was me bruvver!" 



The situation was serious. Tactful handling 

 seemed essential. 



"How do you know," I asked, borrowing a trifle 

 of the knowing air, "that the little bird didn't tell 

 your brother?" 



In sooth, a brilliant idea at a venture. "Ooooh !" 

 said a sobered scorner, and subsided limply. The 



