FABLKS. 



THE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS. 



A Swallow, observing a Farmer sowing his field 

 with flax, called the birds together, and informed 

 them what he was about. She told them that flax 

 was the material of which the thread was made that 

 composed the fowler's nets, so fatal to the feathered 

 race, and strongly advised, them to assist her in 

 picking up the seed, and destroying it. The Birds 

 heard her with indifference, and gave themselves no 

 trouble about the matter. In a little time the flax 

 sprang up, and appeared above the ground. She 

 then put them in mind once more of their impending 

 danger, and wished them to pluck it up in the bud, 

 before it grew any further. But they still slighted 

 her warnings, and the flax grew up into stalk. She 

 again urged them to attack it, for it was not yet too 

 late ; but they only ridiculed her for a silly pre- 

 tending prophet. The Swallow, finding all her 



