ing away, remained quietly on the ground till its pursuer came up.
The dog was then about to seize it, when Audubon saw the former suddenly
stop, and turn her head towards him. On hastening up, he discovered,
greatly to his surprise, that the turkey was his own. Recognising the
spaniel, it had not flown away from her, as it would have done from a
strange dog.

Unhappily, the turkey, again leaving home to range through the forest,
was mistaken for a wild one, and accidentally shot. Audubon recognised
it by a red ribbon being brought him which he had placed round its neck.
Do not forget old friends or former worthy companions, however humble,
but treat them with kindness and consideration.

THE BRAVE HEN.

A Spanish hen, in Mrs F--'s poultry-yard, was sitting on her nest in
the hatching-house, which had a small window, through which a person
might look to see that all was right. As the hens were usually fed upon
their nests, the ground was strewed with corn, which tempted the rats
and mice. The hens used frequently to punish the mice by a sharp tap on
the head with their beak, which laid them to rest for ever.

One day Mrs F--was looking through the window, when she saw a
middle-sized rat peering forth from its hole. The rat scrambled into
the upper range of boxes, where sat the Spanish hen, and then remained
awhile still as a mouse. The hen evidently saw him, but she sat close,
her head drawn back and kept low on the shoulder, her eyes nearly
closed. She clearly feigned to be asleep. The rat, deceived, advanced
a few steps, and then sat on his haunches, looking and listening with
all his might. Again he moved, again paused, then sprang into one
corner of the nest, grappling an egg with his fore-paws at the same
instant. The hen had never stirred all the time; but now, suddenly
throwing forward her head, she seized her foe by the nape of the neck;
then, without withdrawing her bill, she pressed down his head repeatedly
with all her force. She then gave an extra peck or two, half rose,
settled her eggs beneath her again, and seemed happy; and before her lay
a half-grown rat, quite dead.

This was, indeed, calm courage. Imitate, if you can, this brave hen.
Endeavour to be cool and collected when danger approaches.

THE GALLANT SWAN AND HIS FOE.

Swans show much bravery, especially in defending their young; indeed,
from their size, they are able to do battle with the largest of the
feathered tribe. They