y cat, who had just lost her kittens, and
there were the little ducklings all cuddled up around her.

5. "The old cat purred over them and licked them just as though she
thought they were her own kittens.

6. "The poor hen was wild with fright and rage, and a little way back
stood Toby, the old watch-dog, trying to find out what was the
trouble.

7. "From that time, until they were big enough to take care of
themselves, tabby came and slept with the ducklings every night.

8. "The old hen took her loss very much to heart, and I had to comfort
her by giving her another batch of eggs to sit on."

9. Another story is told of an old dog who took a fancy to a brood of
young ducks, who had lost their mother. They followed him about
everywhere, and, when he lay down, the ducklings nestled all about
him.

10. One duckling used to scramble upon the dog's head and sit down
upon his eye; but the old dog never moved, though the pressure upon
the eye must have hurt him. He seemed to think more of his little
friends than of himself.

11. One day a young lady was sitting in a room close by a farm-yard,
in which there were chickens, ducks, and geese feeding and playing
together.

12. While busy with her sewing, a drake came into the room, took hold
of her dress, and tried to pull her toward the door.

13. She was afraid at first, and pushed him away; but he came back
again and again, and she soon saw that he was not angry, but was
trying to get her to follow him.

14. She got up, and he led her to the side of a pond, where she found
a duck with its head caught in a railing. She made haste to set the
poor creature free, and the drake flapped his wings and gave a joyous
quack of thanks.

[Illustration: "Quack! Quack! Quack!"]

LESSON VII.

_HOW GEESE LOOK AND LIVE._

1. The goose and the duck are much alike in looks and ways. The legs
of the goose are longer, so that it stands higher and can walk better
on land.

2. The goose is larger than the duck, its neck longer, and its wings
broader. Its feet are webbed, so that it can swim well in the water.

[Illustration]

3. Its bill is broad and more pointed than that of a duck. Its wings
are very strong, and it is able to fly a great distance without rest.

4. When in the water it does not dive like the duck, but it thrusts
its bill down into the water or mud the length of its long neck.

5. The feathers of the goose are white or gray, and very light and
sof