to us that, by walking faithfully in the ways of God, we may not leave our repentance to a death bed, or see our starying souls upon the point of expiring for that celestial food, which in youth we should have stored up as a provision for the well-closing of this life, and the hope of immortality in that which is to come.

But yonder is Frederick, let us stop till he joins us, he brings something in his hands, let us meet him, and see what new curiosity he has for us."

Emily." A Swallow, mama."

Eliza." Dear Frederick, give it me, it is a pretty bird, but how wild it looks! how its little heart beats! how it flutters !"

Mrs. H.-" Let it fly, my dear Frederick, confinement of any kind is against its nature; were you even to keep it, and imprison it in a cage, it would probably either beat itself to pieces against the wires, or pine itself to death.

ss Be

"Be generous, then, my boy, and restore it to liberty; it is but a visitor, so let us treat it with civility."

Emily." A visitor, mama, why does it not constantly abide with us?"

Mrs. H.-" According to the opinion of most naturalists it does not : it becomes an inhabitant of our climate in Spring, and quits it at the fall of the leaf. Other naturalists assert that these birds are in a torpid state during the Winter, and remain in holes under ground, fixed bill to bill, and claw to claw."

Emily." That is indeed very strange." Mrs. H.-" "Tis a wonderful proof of the infinite wisdom of God in endowing even the smallest, and most insignificant part of creation, with such a portion of natural instinct as instructs it to quit a country at a certain time, when it shall be no longer congenial to its feelings, or af ford it proper means of support, which enables it to traverse vast seas, and fly over immense

immense tracts of land in search of a spot which offers it security and comfort." Fred.-"Where do they go, mother, when they leave us?"

Mrs. H.-" That is uncertain, my dear, but I believe to the southward.

Emily." Why do they go, mama?” Mrs. H. Because the cold of these countries in Winter is too severe for them. They are of a very tender susceptible nature, and would die, probably, if they staid here. It is computed that a bird can fly at the rate of an hundred miles in three hours. This amazing strength and velocity of wing enables them to skim across vast seas,; besides, they have other advan tages; a bird flies strait forward, whatever course it takes, their journeys are consequently much quicker performed than if they were obliged to take a circuitous course, or wait for winds and tides; but during this period of emigration they are exposed to incredible fatigue, and are fre

quently

quently seen to drop dead, or totally exhausted, upon the decks of ships. It is common to see the rigging of vessels, in certain latitudes, crouded with these little travellers."

Emily. Do all birds leave us in winter ?"

Mrs. H.-"No! the Sparrow, Partridge, Linnet, Thrush, Woodpecker, Robin-Redbreast, Blackbird, Redstart, Wren, and many others, never leave us, they are hardy birds, and can endure the severity of Winter better."

Fred." What other birds then migrate besides the Swallow?"

Mrs. H.-“ I have told you, my dear, that the migration of Swallows is still a matter of doubt with ornithologists. Yesterday I was reading an extract from the letter of an American gentleman, who asserted, that, being in company with a friend on the banks of the Hudson's river,

he observed several large flights of birds, one of which approached so near them, that they plainly discerned them to be Swallows; they hovered for a considerable time over the riyer, in such a state of confusion and insensibility, that they flew one against another, and finally the whole company dropt into the water, and sunk like stones."

Fred." This is indeed very surprising, mama, and I think it a strong proof of their migration."

Mrs. H.-"Not from this country at least, Frederick, for this circumstance took place very distant from us, and on the 14th of August. You forgot I told you that they did not quit these shores till the latter end of Autumn, sometimes about September or October. I think it rather affords proof of their torpidity; for the stupor of death overcoming them, they were unable longer to direct themselves or

resist