The Raven's coat is shining black,

Or, rather, raven-grey ;

The Camel's bunch is on his back,

The Owl abhors the day.

The Sparrow steals the cherry ripe,

The Elephant is wise,

The Blackbird charms you with his pipe,
The false Hyena cries.

The Hen guards well her little chicks,
The Cow-her hoof is slit,

The Beaver builds with mud and sticks,
The Lapwing cries "Peewit."

The little Wren is very small,

The Humming-bird is less;

The Lady-bird is least of all,
And beautiful in dress.
The Pelican she loves her young,
The Stork its parent loves,
The Woodcock's bill is very long,
And innocent are Doves.

The streaked Tiger's fond of blood,
The Pigeon feeds on peas,
The Duck will gobble in the mud,
The Mice will eat your cheese.

A Lobster's black, when boiled he's red,
The harmless Lamb must bleed,
The Cod-fish has a clumsy head,

The Goose on grass will feed.

The lady in her gown of silk
The little Worm may thank;
The sick man drinks the Ass's milk,
The Weasel's long and lank.
The Buck gives us a venison dish,
When hunted for the spoil;
The Shark eats up the little fish,
The Whale produces oil.

The Glow-worm shines the darkest night,

With lantern in his tail;

The Turtle is the cit's delight,
And wears a coat of mail.
In Germany they hunt the Boar,
The Bee brings honey home,
The Ant lays up a winter store,
The Bear loves honey-comb.

The Eagle has a crooked beak,
The Plaice has orange spots,

The Starling, if he's taught, will speak;
The Ostrich walks and trots.

The child that does not these things know
Might well be called a dunce;

But I in knowledge quick will grow,

For youth can come but once.

Ann and Jane Taylor.

Kindness to Animals

LITTLE children, never give

Pain to things that feel and live:

Let the gentle robin come

For the crumbs you save at home,—
As his meat you throw along
He'll repay you with a song;
Never hurt the timid hare

Peeping from her green grass lair,
Let her come and sport and play
On the lawn at close of day;
The little lark goes soaring high
To the bright windows of the sky,
Singing as if 'twere always spring,
And fluttering on an untired wing,-
Oh! let him sing his happy song,
Nor do these gentle creatures wrong.

Anon.

UNNATURAL HISTORY