THE ORPHAN^ CHICKENS. 



DiOK was a very large and heavy rooster. He was pure white, 

 with wings and tail tipped with black. 



A few years ago he had some grandchildren. After the mother- 

 hen had brooded them long enough she forsook them, and went to 



roost with the other 



r'^W' n hens. The young ones 

 wandered about, not 

 knowing what to think 

 of it. Dick saw that 

 they were left to them- 

 selves. He stalked up 

 to them, and spoke to 

 them in such a fatherly 

 way that the chickens, 

 after a while, took ref- 

 uge under his wings. 

 It was amusing to see 

 how tenderly lie eyed 

 them and covered them 

 with his large wings. 

 They were glad of a 

 shelter, and liked him 

 for takmg pity on them. For a long time 

 before he had been in the habit of picking bugs 

 and worms for them. 

 After the mother left them he fed them better still, and they 

 followed him all day. Every night they crept close to him, or under 

 his wings. Was he not good to the orphans? We always liked 

 him better after that. Dick was very tame. He would eat from 

 our hands at any time, arid allow us to lift him whenever we chose. 

 We kept him till he was old and lame ; and when he died some 

 genuine tears were shed by one who loved him. 





