t of their own domain;
While they sipped the cream in my teacups, and
daintily pecked my cake,
And called to their friends and neighbours, that
each and all might partake.

But just as I stood there watching,
Enjoying their chorus gay,
My cat stole in from the kitchen,
And all of them flew away--
With wings that fluttered and quivered, they chirped
to another tune,
As they flew away through the garden that beautiful
day in June.

A.M.

[Illustration: SUMMER VISITORS. (See _p. 140._)]

A NEW GAME FOR CHILDREN.

We mention this game--which we believe has never appeared in
print--because not only many may take part, but like really good games,
amusement and perhaps some instruction are derived in playing it; and
any number may play at _the same time_. Let us suppose that ten children
decide to play this game of "Names." Each player is provided with a long
strip of paper and a pencil, and if one of the players has a watch so
much the better; if not a clock must be used. One commences by calling
out: "Girls' names commencing with A, two minutes allowed." Each player
then writes down all the girls' names that he (or she) can recollect
that commence with A, and at the expiration of the two minutes, "time"
is called. Then the oldest player reads from his (or her) slip all the
names he or she has written down. Say, Amy, Amabel, Alice, Ann, Annie,
Amanda, Aileen, &c. All the other players, as the names are read out,
cancel any name read out. If, for instance, all have written Amy, all
cancel Amy, and count one mark. Say six players have Amabel, and four
have not, each of the six count one mark; those who have not thought and
written down Amabel get nothing for Amabel, and so on through the list.
The object of the game is to teach the children all girls' and boys'
names. When the marks have been allotted for all the names, the total of
marks are read out and noted on each slip. The players then proceed in a
similar manner for all boys' names commencing with A, such as Alfred,
Abel, Adam, Andrew, Arthur, &c. The game can be continued till all the
letters in the alphabet are exhausted, but practically young players
rarely care to "do" more than thirty sets or fifteen letters
consecutively. Various names crop up, and the memory is well exercised,
and children generally vote it great fun. Any one introducing pet or
fancy names, such as Pussy,