ks
Come home at once, and go to bed,
You naughty naughty chicks."

Now most of them were five days old,
But one, whose age was six--
"Please, ma'am," said he, "I think we're ducks;
I don't believe we're chicks!"

[Illustration: LITTLE DUCKS.]

[Illustration]

_A SAD TALE._

"_Who's_ afraid of a cat?" said he;
"I'm not afraid of a cat."
He was a bird who sat on a rail,
With five other birds, and this was his tale.
"I'm not afraid of a cat."

"I _might_ be afraid if I were a mouse,
Or even if I were a rat:
But as I'm a bird
I give you my word
I'm not afraid of a cat."

A cat and her kits came down on the scene,
Five birds flew over the rail;
Our hero was caught
As quick as a thought,
And didn't he alter his tale!

"You've made a mistake, Mister Cat," said he;
"You must please let me go, Mister Cat.
I'm not at all nice,
I don't taste like mice:
You'd much better have a young rat."
Said the cat, "It's no use,
You may be a goose,
I'll not let you go for all that."

_THE CREW OF THE NANCY LEE._

[Illustration]

_Polly's_ the mate of the Nancy Lee,
And Tom is the skipper bold,
They sail together
In rough wind and weather,
And they are the crew, all told.

In their taut and trim little boat they ride
Away o'er the bright blue sea,
With hands ever ready,
And hearts ever steady,
Whatever the dangers may be.
And a smarter crew will never be found,
Though you may search the whole world round.

[Illustration: HIE FOR CHRISTMAS.]

_HIE FOR CHRISTMAS!_

_Bring_ Frost, bring Snow,
Come winter,
Bring us holly,
Bring joy at Christmas,
Off with Melancholy!

Sing hie, sing hey,
Sing ho,
Sing holly,
Sing hie for Christmas!
Isn't winter jolly?

Sing Jack, Sing Jill,
Sing Jo,
Sing Polly,
Sing hie for Christmas,
Mistletoe and Holly.

[Illustration: PUTTING AWAY THE TOYS.]

[Illustration]

_BEDTIME._

"_It's_ bedtime, bedtime, Cissy dear,
It's time to put away,
Your little Noah's ark dear
Until another day,
You know it isn't right at all
To