APRIL. 



41 



caterpillars from a neighboring tree, and con- 

 veying them to their young, who greedily de- 

 voured an astonishing number. — It is some 

 time since I read the account, and I cannot say 

 positively, but think the number consumed was 

 something like 300 for the whole family, which 

 would make more .than 2,000 in a week.* 



M. I should not think it possible. 



H. I was so impressed with the important 

 assistance they render, that I never from that 

 time threw a stone at one of the useful crea- 

 tures, as some are wickedly and wantonly in 

 the habit of doing. 



M. I suppose that birds generally are not 

 so useful as the sparrow and robin ; for in 

 talking with our school-mate, James, the other 

 day for his wanton destruction of birds, he 

 excused himself by saying he did not kill any 

 but such as did damage. 



* See Note at the end of the work. 



4 



