Year: 1873

fiving short distances Bob always
starting first and coming back for his
ladv-bird-untiI each morning sawthem
starting forth for Il long and joyou"
flight. The little creatures were 50
pure. so graceful and winning in their
ways that they we're a joy to the whole
family.


One morning they were missing. Late
in the afternoon they returned, having
spent the day in visiting. The next
morning their visit was returned by
large whito-and-blacll pigeon, which the
children felt sure WIS their lost bird
He spent pleasant morning-hylnG
round and round and round with them
to view their premises, and then went
home. The next morning he came
again, bringing mate with him; but
she soon went back and left him. But
he decided to remain and win lady-blrd
for his own. All day long be chased
poGNBob over the roots and away from
his little mate then he would stop
and COO and talk to her in q most en-
ticing manner. One moment the little
coouette would listen and fly to him,
pecking at Bob herself when he follow
ed Fly. then again she seemed to re-
pent for her cruelty and flew to h1m
lovingly, when Blaoly would chase
them both. At length, after weary
day. she yielded to his importantly,
came over to him, kissed, oooed and
settled by him for the night. They
spent one very happy day together
Blacky was loving and devoted, lady
bird coy and pretty, whilst poor Bob
looked disconsolate.


EARLY next morning loud talking and
scoIding in the pigeon-house drew all
eyes to tt1, windows. And there, be-
hoI /, new pigeon, browh-and-whlto
speckled. He was large and pompous,
and strutted round with n lordly air.
L,ady-bird was evidently n belle, and
the fame of her beauty was daily bring
ing new suitors.


Speckle was a bird of quality. He
evidently felt his own dignity and
would not brook q rival. He at once
entered the list with Blaoky, determined
to win or die. Poor Bob took this OPP
portunity to try and coax lady-bird
back to himself, but Speckle soon put
him down. Between Blacky and Spec
kle the fight was more equal. 1t ragged
all day but it was soon evident that
Speckle was the stronger Of the two,
and at night he remained victor. Flo-
kle little lady-bird, pleased with his
prowess, crowned him with kiss, and
the happy pair retired together for the
night.


Blacky returned next day and called
his little mate, but she took no notice
of him. Proud of her o" "conqueriDg
hero" she remained loyal to him, and,
though polite and friendly to the many
callers she received, she kept close to
the side of her lord, and seemed happi
est when alone with him. He was Who'll
" devoted to her-brought her straws
for her nest, while she remained within,
weaving them together; and at night
he slept outside to guard the entrance,
wisely Judging that " the price Of safe
tv is eternal vigilance" Poor Bob
nestled beside him, occasionally taking
O peep at his little darling but as she
invariably put out her head at such
times and gave him nip, he learned,
after time to restrain himself. He iS
fast recovering his peace of mind, and
as we are told that lady-bird will prob
ably have eleven sons and as many
daughters in the course of the year,
it is very probable he may yet mate with
one of them, and thus become son-in-
law to his former wife.-7he Young
EJ,JEp