ROM?

Hop, hop, hop! In it came at the window, the dearest
little yellow canary, not a bit afraid; chirping,
turning its pretty head this way and that, and asking its
little bird questions which nobody could understand.

George, and Winifred, and little Bruce were all filled
with delight and amazement at the small visitor. Wise
George flew to shut the window, kind Winny ran for
cake, and solemn Bruce took his finger out of his mouth
and stared.

Meanwhile Dicky sidled, and fluttered, and chattered,
and at last showed he was used to society by setting
down on George's finger, winking at Bruce, and making
a good meal of Winny's cake.

"Do you think he can have flown straight from the
Canary Islands?" asked Winny.

But George shook his head; it was too far.

But still they had a feeling that the little visitor was
a sort of emigrant, who must be led to settle at Fairleigh
Cottage; and Winny ran to ask her mother for the half-crown
out of her money-box to buy him a cage.

"Mother's coming," she said. "She thinks Birdie
belongs to some one else, because he is so tame."

"But there are no canaries in the village, except the
schoolmaster's pair," said wise George; "and this little
beauty is not one of them. I really think this bird must
have come to look for a home."

[Illustration]

[Illustration: A]

Stands over Apples,
So rosy and round.

[Illustration: B]

Begins the word Berries,
Which grow near the ground.

[Illustration: C]

Commences Cherries,
They grow upon trees.

[Illustration: D]

Date-Palms or Desert,
Spell which word you please.

[Illustration]

THE DUCKS.

One little black duck,
One little gray,
Six little white ducks
Running out to play.
One white lady-duck, motherly and trim,
Eight little baby-ducks bound for a swim.
One little white duck
Running from the water,
One very fat duck--
Pretty little daughter;
One very grave duck, swimming off alone,
One little white duck, standing on a stone.
One little white duck
Holding up its wings,
One little bobbing duck
Making water-rings;
One little black duck, turning round its head,
One big black duck--see, he's gone to bed.
One little lady-duck, motherly and trim,
Eight little baby-ducks bound for a swim.
One lazy black duck, taking quite a nap,
One precious duck, here on mother's lap.

[Illustration]

IN TROUBLE.

In terrible trouble is baby:
Full