1. THERE are many kinds of birds; some very big, and some very very little. There are birds with sweet voices, and birds with very little voice; birds of all colors; birds that can fly out of sight, and birds that cannot fly a yard. Some birds can swim and fly and walk; some can both walk and fly; and some can only walk. 2. Birds have only two legs; but then they have also two wings - which more than make up. Some of 4. The nightingale has a most sweet voice, and he sings in the evening. The lark fills the morning air with his glad song. The ostrich has hardly any voice, and like the swan can only make a hoarse kind of sound. 5. The parrot has splendid and bright colors; and so have all birds in warm countries. But birds with splendid colors often cannot sing; and those which sing most sweetly are often dressed in the plainest and most homely colors. The feathers of the nightingale and the lark are of a dingy brown. 6. The eagle flies very high in the air; and when he sees a bird or a rabbit, he swoops down upon it in a moment. 7. The swan can swim; and he can also fly. He can walk too; but his legs are placed so far back, that when he walks, he waddles about in a very awkward way. 8. Birds that swim have webs between their toes, with which they push themselves along. The duck, the goose, the swan, and the sea-gull can all swim. 9. The ostrich, which is the largest bird, cannot fly; but he can run very very fast. When men hunt him he can run as fast as a race-horse. 1. DID you ever see the nest. Of robin or of linnet, When the little downy birds 2. Opening wide their yellow mouths |