feathers. The parrots from Brazil, which are green, are not half so easily taught. You must be very kind to him."

Edward placed the bird in a light closet, next to his own bed room, and, whenever he was not at his studies, his greatest delight was to feed and talk to him. Poll, who, like all parrots, was extremely fond of notice, and very grateful for kindness, became so fond of Edward that he learned every thing his master wished,

He accompanied him in his walks, perched on his finger, or would stay in a tree, watching him while he worked in his garden, whistling and chattering all the while.

This occupation amused Edward through the autumn. He was busy giving him a lesson one cold morning in December, when his mother sent for him, and told him that he might accompany her on a visit to a lady at some distance. The proposal pleased him; and he ran for his hat, first giving Poll a biscuit, and set off with a gay heart.

The drive was so pleasant that Edward was almost sorry when they arrived at the lady's house. She received them very kindly, and took them through her beautiful hothouses and conservatories; and then, at Edward's anxious request, consented to show him her birds, and a litter of puppies, that she thought would please him. "It suits your age better than mine," said she to Edward; "come, tell me what you think of my favorites."

“I think you are very kind to show them to

me," replied he, "and I am much pleased with them."

"I had a lovely parrot," said the lady, "that was very handsome and clever. He said a great many words; but one day, more than two months ago, he broke his chain, and escaped into the woods." "What color was he?" said Edward.

"He was gray, with a red tail."

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"And what could he say?" inquired Edward. O, he said 'Pretty Poll! Jacko! poor Poll! ' and a great many other words."

Edward saw at once that he had found an owner for the parrot; but he thought that he would keep him a few days longer. At last he went so far as to say to himself, "I wish I had not heard about it, and did not know he was hers." Then he determined that he would not tell the lady that he had found the bird.

struggle lim'its gath'er-ing whis'tle sur-prīşe' priş'on-er Af'ri-cạn

Bra-zîl'

ac-com'pa-nied âu'tumn' bis'cuit 2

suits

per-mis'sion

ĕv'i-dent-ly

përched

a-muş'ing Sep-těm′ber měr'ri-ly ar-rīv'ing vǎl'u-a-ble stud'ieş les'son months

heard

LV.-THE PARROT CONCLUDED.

WHEN Edward arrived home, he ran to Poll, and caressed him. "My dear, dear Poll!" said he; "O, how could I part with you! How sad you would be! and I never should be happy again. I will not think about it, for, if I had not found you, you would have died of cold and hunger long ago, and then the lady could not have had you back; besides, if you had your choice, you would like to stay here best, for you have no chain now, and yet you never fly away."

Poll returned his caresses. "Edward, pretty boy!" said he. "Good Edward! poor Jacko! Jacko loves Edward!" and he talked, and whistled, and would eat nothing but from his master's hand.

When Edward went to bed, he said his prayers without his usual attention, and, with a heavy heart, laid his head on his pillow and tried to sleep; but he could not. He remained buried in thought. The moon rose and found him still awake. He watched her from his window as she passed over the sky; but it could not divert his thoughts. He knew that he had done wrong, and it made him very unhappy.

In the morning he went to his mother and told her the whole story. "And now," said he, as he concluded, "I hope you will not lose your confidence in me, mother, as I am sorry for my fault, and shall return the parrot to its owner."

After breakfast Edward started for the lady's house, and took Poll along with him. His heart was light; and when he arrived, he told his story with many blushes, and kissed Poll as he gave him up to the lady. He felt that he had done right; but he could not help feeling very sorry to part with his bird.

The lady spoke kindly and sensibly to him. "You have shown true courage in resolving to do right. But you must not be too proud," added she with a kind smile," to accept a little present from me when you go home." When he returned, she gave him a wicker basket. "It is my present," said she. "Open it when you get home, and not before, for I am sure it will please you."

Edward felt very sorry to leave his parrot behind him. "I wonder," thought he, " if poor Poll is as sorry as I am! or if he will think of it as much! I never shall be quite happy again."

As he walked along, he heard something rustle in his basket. "Ah!" said he, "I suspect the lady has given me the little black puppy that I admired so much. I will be kind to him for her sake; but I feel that I shall never love him. No; I can only love Jacko."

As soon as he reached home, he cut the string which was tied round the basket; and, to his great delight, Poll sprang out, calling, "Edward, dear boy! I love Edward! poor Poll! Edward loves Jacko!" and flew on the wrist of his master.

"O mother," cried he, "how happy I am! I had

to struggle very hard to do right, and now see how

As George Wilson and Charles Fulton were one day crossing a meadow on their way to school at Brookdale, a village three miles from their own home, they saw a bird fly suddenly out of the bushes.

"Look, look!" said George; "did you see that linnet? I dare say there is a nest somewhere near; let us go and see if we can find it."

They set down their basket, which contained their dinner, and began their search. In a few minutes they discovered a nest with two young birds in it, and immediately possessed themselves of the prize.

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Ah," said Charles, laughing, applying his finger first to the beak of one and then of the other, "I dare say you think you are going to have a nice breakfast; but you are mistaken. See how they open their mouths when I touch them—the silly little things."

1 Pron. běr'jd.

2 shur.

3 rus'sl.

4 rist.