The Washington times., 1902-05-18

| ~ NCE upon a time a mother bird,
that had nest full of young
Y brides. was in great distress.
The spring was far advanced, and
long ere this time she and her young
brood ought TO have been on their north
ward journey to the Great Lakes. that
were always the summer home of the
birds. But these baby birds had crept out
OF their dainty blue eggs SO late that
spring that their little wings were not
strong enough for the long journey. Every
day the mother would teach her darlings
to fly. Seating them in row on a low
limb. she would say "Eh. cheepee. cheepee
watch me. watch mel and away she
would go through the air. There were
many comical experiences at first. for the
little wings were awkward and weak, but
patient practice brought strength and
skill at last A day was fixed upon for
the start, and long before the ruddy dawn
had broken through the golden bars of
the eastern sky the whole family were on
the wing.
When night came II was a very tired
little company that sought shelter on the
limb of a friendly beech tree. That night
a dreadful storm came up, and the wind
blew and the rain came down in torrents.
In the morning the poor drenched babies
were so stiff and unhappy that they
heartily wished themselves In their snug
Southern nest The mother. much against
her will decided to stop for a short rest.
Alas, the boys. on their way to school,
saw the forlorn little family In the tree.
That evening the mamma heard Robert
say to his companions:
I'm that tree are some OF the cutest
little birds you ever saw. Let us come
back tonight and get them.'
This mamma bird had had experience
,-{tb hov haf hp hDVl
well out OF sight, and then. calling her
brood about her, she said: II know you
are sick and weary. but We must fly for
our lives We have four hours of day
light, and in that time, II you are only
brave, we can reach the retreat where
we should have rested last night"
In a few minutes every birdy was on
the wing. forgetting all about his weari-
ness in his anxiety to get away from
Robert and his companions. But night
they were far away from the old beech
tree.
They flew away with rested wings and
thankful hearts, just as the sun was peep
ing from behind the trees in the East. The
next few days OF flight were passed with
out danger or fatigue. and soon the edge
of the northern forest was reached. The
whole family went at once to the man.
moth tree, where the mother always took
her brood for their first day. and she
found to her Joy that it was not occupied.
The young birds were in high glee. chirp-
ing and futtering about in great delight.
They found many pleasant companions.
and only one more experience marred
their trip. A great owl alighted on their
tree In his search for an evening meal.
Espying the tender, young birds. his great
yellow eyes cleaned with mirth, for he
thought that there was fine supper all
spread for him.
Old Mr.. Owl was in perfect trim for the
feast that he was sure he was going to
have: but he did not know of the narrow
escape those same brides had had and
he did not suspect what keen eyes the
mother had. nor how much wisdom her
brood had gained by their experience
with bad boys. When the great gray
bird was pretending to be ELF asleep
and not thinking about anything so
wicked as eating little brides the mother
kept her quick eye upon. him. and just