Aryan construction.

HELENA HEATH.

[Illustration: "Mag raised her shrill note of warning."]

FEATHERED FRIENDSHIP.

A True Story.

Mag was seldom at rest: from morning till night she hopped about, in her
smart black-and-white coat--her bright eyes shining, her head a little
on one side, and her chatter constantly to be heard.

Those bright, bead-like eyes of hers saw everything that was to be seen;
but, of all the creatures that met her view, Mag admired the pheasants
most. She thought there never were such fine and noble birds, and she
could not tire of looking at them, and noticing how the rich greens and
blues and browns of their soft plumage shone in the autumn sunshine.

She proved her interest once in a remarkable way. The pheasants--several
of them--were pecking amongst the bracken, and Mag, perched on an oak
bough overhead, was looking round, as was her custom, when her glance
fell upon a fox, lurking treacherously amongst the long grass, evidently
making ready to spring upon the stately birds.

What was to be done? To cry out would be to draw Master Reynard's
attention away from the pheasants to herself; but Mag did not hesitate
for a moment. At the risk of her own life she raised her shrill note of
warning, and the pheasants, roused to the danger, scuttled away, just in
time.

The disappointed fox tried hard to get at the magpie, but her strong
wings stood her in good stead, and she, too, managed to reach a place of
safety.

THE MOLES AND THE MOUNTAIN.

Two moles once dwelt together in a hole at the foot of an enormous
mountain. They had long lived a quiet life, and now wished to make a
noise in the world, so they caused a report to be spread about among the
animals that they intended moving the mountain on a certain day. The
beasts thought it a wonderful thing that two little moles should move a
great mountain, and they never stopped to ask if it was possible or not.

On the day appointed, they came together with one accord to see this
extraordinary feat of strength. Not only animals came, but men too, who
had provided themselves with sacks, bags, and wheelbarrows to carry away
the gold and silver and other precious metals which they fancied were
inside the mountain. After waiting some time, the moles came out, and
said: 'Dear sirs, the sight of so many of you here to-day does our
hearts good. We have lived a very quiet life hitherto, and now desire to
make a name in the world