thing of mine--a pair of egrets.

My father brought them from a heronry not many miles from the
great Okeechobee Lake. Then they were very young, and so fat that
their long, awkward legs would not sustain their weight. Now they
are three months old, and stand about two feet high. Their plumage
is white as snow, and their legs and long beak a bright
orange-color. Their eyes are yellowish-gray, and very keen and
beautiful.

I feed them mostly on fish or fresh meat, but in an extremity they
will not disdain a piece of salt pork. They are creatures of
approved valor, and have vanquished all our dogs, as well as the
cocks in the poultry-yard. When attacking they rush forward with
loud cries and flapping wings, well calculated to frighten their
adversaries, and having long necks, they thrust their sharp beaks
like javelins. When threatened by hawks, they squat closely to the
earth, and present their beaks somewhat as the French soldiers did
their bayonets when assailed by the terrible Mamelukes in Egypt.
One night lately an opossum thought to make a meal of them, but
they defended themselves with such vigor that the robber scampered
off just as my father appeared to succor them.

They are not vicious toward persons, although they sometimes try
to bully people into feeding them when begging does not avail.
Young egrets are a long time learning how to fly, and are
meanwhile carefully attended by their parents. The mother bird
fishes industriously to feed the whole family, while her plumed
mate stands guard at the nest, for their home is in wild regions,
where enemies of many kinds abound. The famous chief Osceola used
egret plumes to adorn his turban.

JOHN CALHOUN J.

* * * * *

CINCINNATI, OHIO.

I wish to tell you about two pet deer I had, Dolly and Pet. They
were very tame, and if I was eating anything, they would come up
to me and put their fore-feet on my knees, as if to beg for a
piece. They had a very large cage, and I used to go in and play
with them. I am eleven years old.

I. B.

* * * * *

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS.

I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE from the first number, and I read all
the letters in the Post-office Box. I like to read about the pets.
Papa gave me a calf fo