work to do; for he loved his master, and liked to serve him. And now, when he is able to work no longer, his master is very kind to him, and has given him this nice field to live in, where there is plenty of sweet grass, with dai-sies and king-cups, shady trees, and sunny spots, and all so pleas-ant, that I think he must be happy, though he is old and weak.

Then at night his master takes him home to a warm stable, where he has a soft bed to lie on, and good hay to eat. Is he not a kind master to this poor old ser-vant?

I sup-pose he thinks as Mama once said to me,-"We should never de-spise any crea-ture because it is old and feeble; for if we live a short time longer, we also shall be old, and then we shall want some kind friend to take care of us."

ONE morning a gen-tle-man who lived in Fal-kirk was looking out of the window of his room, when he saw a flock of spar-rows flying about in a very strange manner on the other side of the street.

Wishing to find out the cause, he opened the window, when he was sorry to see that one of the young birds had fallen from its warm nest, which had been built under the tiles of the house. There the poor little bird lay on the ground, unable to fly, and the old birds unable to lift it up.

A fine ban-tam cock, which seemed to know what was wanted, came forward, and very gently took up the poor little bird in his beak. He then mount-ed upon an empty cart, from which he flew upon the roof, and stretch-ing his neck out over the edge of the tiles, put his little charge safely

into its nice warm nest again. In doing so, however, the noble bird fell upon the ground. He seemed afraid, but not much hurt. After plum-ing his feathers for a short time, he began to strut about and crow, as if quite proud of his kind deed.

May not all learn a lesson from the pretty ban-tam? Both young and old would do well not to forget it, as it teaches us how to help one another.

XXXV.-THE LITTLE LARK

"I HEAR a pretty bird, but, hark!
I cannot see it anywhere;
Oh! it is a little lark,

Singing in the morning air.
Little lark, do tell me why
You are singing in the sky?

"Other little birds at rest

Have not yet begun to sing;

Every one is in its nest,

With its head behind its wing.
Little lark, then tell me why
You sing so early in the sky?"

""Tis to sing a merry song

To the pleas-ant morning light;
Why linger in my nest so long
When the sun is shining bright?
Little lady, this is why
I sing so early in the sky.

"To the little birds below

I do sing a merry tune;
And I let the plough-man know
He must come to labour soon.
Little lady, this is why

I am singing in the sky."

Script Exercise.

Write the names of all the birds that

you know.