17 



Little Brown Hen looked curiously at the broad 

 bills and webbed feet of the new brood that soon 

 hatched out. They were fine looking children no 

 doubt, but still it did seem strange that her chicks 

 should always look so unlike anything she ex- 

 pected. 



This brood did not prove as easy to bring up as 

 the other. Still Little Brown Hen managed pretty 

 well until one day the little ducks found a pond. 



Little Brown Hen and her Ducklings 



Then to their little mother's terror she saw one 

 after another of them hasten to its edge and cro sail- 

 ing off across the water. 



In vain the little hen danced up and down calling 

 to them to come back. The naughty ducklings 

 floated happily about over the pond, heedless of 

 their mother's cries. 



Pyle's Humble Friends. — 2. 



