females. These lay, in a common nest, sometimes to the number of sixty or seventy eggs, and share among them the task of hatching, in which the male also takes his part. The young are at first very weak; but their parents tend them with as-si-dui-ty, and not only provide them with food, but defend them with great courage from every threatened danger.

The flesh of the ostrich is used as food; but it is said to be not very delicate or palatable. A Roman emperor, we are told, had six hundred killed, and their brains made into one dish. The Arabians make use of the skin, which is very thick, as leather. The feathers are highly prized among all nations for or-na-men'-tal purposes. The eggs are eaten; they are uncommonly large, each weighing generally about twelve or fifteen pounds; and the egg-shell, which re-sem'-bles ivory, is used in the formation of u'-ten-sils, both of ornament and do-mes'-tic e-con'-o-my. When taking the eggs of the ostrich, it is necessary to avoid touching those which are left behind; for the ostrich would discover it by the smell, and immediately trampling them to pieces, would leave the place, and seek for

a more secure retreat.

EXERCISES.-Which is the largest of birds? What does it often measure in height and length ? Of what colour are the feathers of the tail and wings? Of what colour is the body of the female ? What parts does this bird inhabit? Where do ostriches often commit terrible havoc? For what are they sometimes mistaken in some parts of Asia ? Upon what does the ostrich subsist? What will it also swallow? To how many females is each male ostrich

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united? Does the male take his part in hatching? Is the flesh of the ostrich used as food? How many is it said that a Roman emperor killed? For what purpose were they killed? How do the Arabians make use of their skin? For what are their feathers highly prized? What is the general weight of their eggs? How is the shell used? What is it necessary to avoid when taking the eggs of the ostrich? Why? What would the ostrich then do

THE STORK.

The white stork is about three feet in length. It has a red-coloured bill, which is set inside with sharp hooks, to enable it to hold its slippery prey. Its feathers are all quite white, except the ends of the wings, the extremities of which are black, also some small part of the head and thighs. Its legs are long, slender, and of a red colour. The nails of its toes are not clawed like those of other birds, but flat like human nails.

The stork feeds on frogs, lizards, serpents, and insects; it also clears away much filth. On account of its important ser'-vi-ces, it is treated with kindness by people in general. The disposition of the stork is mild and gentle; it has long been cel'e-bra-ted for affection to its parents, whom it never forsakes, but tenderly feeds and cherishes them when they become old and unable to provide for themselves.

Storks visit Egypt in such numbers that the fields are white with them; yet the inhabitants are not displeased with this sight, as frogs are brought forth here in such swarms, that if the storks did not devour them, they would overrun the country.

Storks are birds of passage, that is, they all leave a cold country when winter approaches, and fly in tribes to a warmer climate, and return again in the beginning of summer. For upwards of a week before their intended depar'-ture, they meet together every day, like a council, as if to determine the exact day on which to take their flight to another country. Dr Shaw says, that he observed three flocks of them, each about half a mile in width, leaving Egypt and flying over Mount Carmel, and they were so numerous as to be three hours in passing.

What colour

EXERCISES. Of what length is the white stork? is its bill? Why is it set inside with sharp hooks? What colour are the extremities of its wings? What kind of legs has it? On what does the stork feed? On what account is it treated with kind. ness? Of what disposition is the stork? For what has it long been celebrated? What country do storks visit in great numbers? Why are the inhabitants not displeased with this sight? What do storks do when winter approaches? When do they return again? How do they act for a week before their intended departure? What - did Dr Shaw observe ? How long were they in passing?

THE RAVEN.

"As black as a raven" is an old proverb, which is strictly correct, for nearly its whole plu'-mage is of a shining black colour, glossed with deep blue. It is a large strong-bodied bird, and usually measures upwards of two feet in length, and when its wings are extended, it is nearly four feet in breadth, from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. Its beak is curved, its eye is sharp, and its legs are short and

stiff, upon which it hops very nimbly along the ground.

The raven is of a hardy, bold, and per-se-ve'-ring disposition. He is often tamed, and becomes fa-mil'iar and ex-treme'-ly amusing; yet he is very roguish, and has a most vo-ra'-cious appetite. Active, in-quis'-i-tive, and impudent, he hops about and pries into every corner. He affronts and drives away the dogs, plays his tricks with the fowls, and is very fond of visiting the pantry, where he contrives, when un-no'-ticed, to commit his dep-re-dations. He is not satisfied with small thefts, but will slily take a piece of money, a tea-spoon, or any other shining thing that he can carry away, and will convey it to some hiding place.

Ravens, in a wild state, are exceedingly cunning and mischievous, and whenever they observe an animal in a helpless condition, they will fly at it and peck out its eyes; yet in most countries they have respect paid to them, and in eastern countries they are even held in great veneration. The Romans considered them as om'-i-nous birds, and from ri-dicu-lous motives of fear, they paid them great honours. They feed mostly on small animals, eggs, and shellfish, and are no-to'-ri-ous for devouring blood and dead bodies on the fields of slaughter. Naturalists say that this bird often lives upwards of a hundred years.

ANECDOTE OF THE RAVEN.

A gentleman's butler having missed some silver spoons, and other articles, without being able to account for the way in which they had disappeared, at last observed a tame raven that was kept about the house, with one in his mouth, and on watching him to his hiding place, discovered there upwards of a dozen more.

EXERCISES. Of what colour is the plumage of the raven? What is its length? What is its breadth from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other? Describe its beak, eye, and legs. Of what disposition is the raven? How does he act towards dogs and fowls? What place is he very fond of visiting? What will he slily take? What will he do with it? What are ravens in a wild state? What do they do whenever they observe an animal in a helpless condition? Where are they held in great veneration? How did the Romans consider them? From what motives did the Romans pay them great honours? What do they mostly feed on? For what are they notorious? How long do naturalists say this bird often lives?

What did a gentleman's butler miss? What did he at last observe? On watching him to his hiding place what did he discover?

THE SPARROW HAWK.

The sparrow hawk is a bold bird. It is the dread of the farm-yard, for, at times, it makes great havoc among young poultry; and it commits its depredations in the most daring manner, even in the presence of man. In winter, it often makes great havoc among the flocks of buntings and finches.

Few of the ra-pa'-cious birds are so docile and o-be-di-ent as this. When properly trained, it is capable of great attachment; and it may be taught to pursue par-tridg-es and other game. It will also