A BIRD WITH AX UMBRELLA. 



21 



particle is a little scale of regular form, and sometimes most beau- 

 tifully shaped. But the insect flies just as well without the dust. 



Besides his regular wings the fly has others, for sails. They 

 are all lifted by a great number of little, tough muscles in his sides. 

 Thus he moves in the air and darts away. Before he goes he 

 "plumes" his wings, just like a bird. 



'^.- 





A BIRD WITH AX UMBRELLA. 



" But where is your umbrella? " I asked. 



" On my head, of course," replied the bird. " Where is yours :* " 



" I carry mine in my hand," said I; "though I always hold it over 

 my head when the rain is falling." 



" We say '•claw^ not '■hand'' ! " said the bird, with some severity. 

 *'You should learn to speak correctly; I am sure you are big 

 enough. What do you call yourself ? " 



" I belong to the human race," I replied. " But never mind mo. 

 Tell me a little about yourself." 



" I live in South America," said the umbrella-bird, " in the fai; 

 country of Brazil. My family is the only one, I believe, which 

 possesses umbrellas. You see how gracefully the feathers are 

 curved over my head, making a perfect shelter from sun and rai:i. 

 This is what /call an umbrella; as for that hideous thing you hold 

 in your claw, — I don't know what to call it, but I am sure no bird 



