geons which were fed in the yard where the gull was kept. The crafty
bird had made a note of the fact that several sparrows always came down
at feeding-time to get some of the food spread for the pigeons. "By
getting among the pigeons, and keeping my head down," reasoned the gull,
"I shall get close enough to catch some of these nice little fellows
easily."

And this is how the gull made use of its friends the pigeons. It went
among them, and, by stooping, avoided detection. Then, to use the words
of the eye-witness, the gull "set at a sparrow as a pointer dog would do
at its game." In an instant it had the luckless victim by the back, and
swallowed it without giving it time to shut its eyes. But this was an
unlovely friendship. The motives were altogether mercenary and low. The
story affords, however, a curious instance of the power of reasoning
possessed by some animals.

[Illustration: ON GUARD.--DRAWN BY SOL EYTINGE, JUN.]

ON GUARD.

Halt! Not a step farther! Don't move for your life!
You're a very nice squirrel, I haven't a doubt
(Although you've forgotten, I see, to put on
Your kilt and your jacket before you came out),
But where you now are you must stop for an hour
Or two, and quite silent meanwhile you must keep,
For a weary long way we have travelled to-day,
And my dear little master lies there fast asleep.

Of course _you_ don't know--you've grown up in the woods,
With no one to teach you--how fine 'tis to be
Great artists as we are! You've heard but the birds,
And seen only squirrels jump round in a tree.
My master the sweetest of music can make
(Sh! you rustled a leaf--he half-opened his eyes),
And a gun I can handle, a drum I can beat,
And I dance like a fairy--I tell you no lies.

My dear little master! full oft he has shared,
Bite for bite, with me, squirrel, his very last crust,
And he's patiently carried me many a mile,
And that now _I_ guard _him_ I am sure is but just.
Curl your tail up still tighter, and don't let it fall
Lest a noise it should make--it's remarkably big--
And, if you are good, by-and-by we may all
Have a right merry tune and a right merry jig.

THE LITTLE GENIUS.

[Illustration: THE LITTLE GENIUS.]

Little five-year-old Bertie was very fond of sitting at the study table
with his brothers and sisters, especially when they were doing their
drawing lessons. But he was not satisfied