“I said:  ‘Does it belong to God?’

“He said:  ’Yes, and He will be pleased if you do not hurt it, but give it back to Him to care for.’

“I was very much impressed and carefully followed out his directions, saying the little prayer he had told me to say.”

HIAWATHA’S BROTHERS.

   Then the little Hiawatha
 Learned of every bird its language,
 Learned their names and all their secrets,
 How they built their nests in summer,
 Where they hid themselves in winter,
 Talked with them whene’er he met them,
 Called them “Hiawatha’s Chickens.” 
   Of all beasts he learned the language,
 Learned their names and all their secrets,
 How the beavers built their lodges,
 Where the squirrels hid their acorns,
 How the reindeer ran so swiftly,
 Why the rabbit was so timid,
 Talked with them whene’er he met them,
 Called them “Hiawatha’s Brothers.” 
                     Henry W. Longfellow.

TO THE CUCKOO.

Sweet bird!  Thy bower is ever green,
Thy sky is ever clear;
Thou hast no sorrow in thy song,
No winter in thy year.

O could I fly, I’d fly with thee! 
We’d make on joyful wing
Our annual visit o’er the globe,
Companions of the Spring. 
John Logan.

OUR FRIENDS THE BIRDS.

We have few better friends than the birds.  They spend their lives working for us.  Without them our crops would be destroyed by insects and mice.  Soon no green thing would be left, and the earth would no longer be habitable.

Birds do all this without being asked.  If we treat them kindly and try to make friends with them, we shall find that in addition to the good they do in protecting our fields and gardens, they may also bring us a great deal of pleasure.

Birds are the most beautiful of creatures.  Their plumage is often brilliant and always pleasing.  Their motions are so graceful it is a delight to watch them.  Their voices are so sweet that they charm every one who loves the fields and woods.

It is very interesting to study the habits of birds.  They make journeys thousands of miles in length and return to the same home each year.  They build the most wonderful homes and take the best of care of their young.

If we would have these beautiful and interesting creatures live near us we must show them that we mean them no harm.  Then they will come about our homes, cheering us with their glad songs, and amusing us with their intelligence.

It is sad to think that birds have learned to fear man because he has killed and trapped them, or robbed their nests of eggs or young.  This is not a very good way to treat a friend, is it?

Travelers tell us that when they have visited islands where men did not live, the birds were so tame that they perched upon their shoulders and could be easily caught.