iver, stopped at the very roots of our tree. There
were two men in it. As I peeped from the door I saw one man leave the
boat and begin to climb up the trunk toward our nest. Mamma had told us
only that morning that robbers had been seen on the opposite shore of
our river, and that they were searching for young parrots, whom they
tore away from their parents, and sent far away to a foreign country to
be sold. "At the least danger," mamma had said to us, "fly. Man is a
more formidable enemy than the serpent."

The man climbed nearer and nearer to our nest. Our parents were both
away from home, and upon me, as the strongest and oldest, fell the
responsibility of saving the family. There was not a moment to be lost.
Aided by my brother, I threw my little sister, who was half dead with
fright, headlong from the nest, and had the satisfaction to see her fly
safely into the neighboring thicket. She used her little wings with
strength and courage which would have been impossible for her to show
except under the excitement of such terrible circumstances.

When my sister was saved, I hurried my brother after her, and he too
escaped. Faithful to my duty, I remained the last in the nest, and at
the instant when I spread my wings to fly away, the cruel hand of the
robber closed tight around me. At that dreadful moment I fainted, and I
remember nothing more until I found myself in a large cage with a number
of other parrots, prisoners like myself.

Of the monotonous misery of the long sea-voyage that followed I can not
even now endure to think. More than half my companions perished; and
when at last we reached this great city, which I hear men call New York,
I myself was nearly dead from confinement and sea-sickness.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

[Illustration]

1.

Here, Bunny! Now for lots of fun;
Get down, and have a jolly run.
I've moped about the house all day with
The want of somebody to play with.

[Illustration]

2.

How stupid on the floor you lie!
Come, jump about, and let's be spry.
What, can't you even lift a paw?--
The dullest beast I ever saw!

[Illustration]

3.

I won't be patient any more,
But drag you all about the floor;
I'll make you run, I'll make you jump--
How do you like that?--bump, bump, bump.

[Illustration]

4.

What, haven't yet a mind to play?
I'll quickly teach you to obey.
You needn't hope now to get clear off:
Look out there, or I'll b