=Discussion.= 1. Locate Ceylon on a map. 2. In what work were the elephants engaged when they became discouraged? 3. Why was the climb particularly difficult at this season? 4. What ruse was employed? 5. What success attended the plan? 6. Pronounce: vehicles; chasm; ruse; fatiguing. =Phrases= colossal teams, 35, 8 entailed the necessity, 35, 23 natural provender, 36, 3 intelligence was acting against, 36, 5 by sheer weight, 36, 13 reasoned upon the situation, 36, 16 persuasive iron hooks, 36, 34 marking time, 37, 1 passive obstinacy, 37, 5 unaccountable communication, 37, 27 BIRDS [Illustration] ROBERT OF LINCOLN WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT Merrily swinging on brier and weed, Near to the nest of his little dame, Over the mountain side or mead, Robert of Lincoln is telling his name: “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; Snug and safe is this nest of ours, Hidden among the summer flowers, Chee, chee, chee!” Robert of Lincoln is gayly dressed, Wearing a bright, black wedding coat; White are his shoulders, and white his crest, Hear him call in his merry note: “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; Look what a nice new coat is mine; Sure, there was never a bird so fine. Chee, chee, chee!” Robert of Lincoln’s Quaker wife, Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings, Passing at home a patient life, Broods in the grass while her husband sings: “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; Brood, kind creature; you need not fear Thieves and robbers while I am here. Chee, chee, chee!” Modest and shy as a nun is she; One weak chirp is her only note; Braggart, and prince of braggarts is he, Pouring boasts from his little throat: “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; Never was I afraid of man, Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can. Chee, chee, chee!” Six white eggs on a bed of hay, Flecked with purple, a pretty sight, There, as the mother sits all day, Robert is singing with all his might: “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; Nice good wife that never goes out, Keeping house while I frolic about. Chee, chee, chee!” Soon as the little ones chip the shell, Six wide mouths are open for food; Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well, Gathering seeds for the hungry brood. “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; This new life is likely to be Hard for a gay young fellow like me. Chee, chee, chee!” Robert of Lincoln at length is made Sober with work, and silent with care, Off his holiday garment laid, Half forgotten that merry air: “Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, Spink, spank, spink; Nobody knows but my mate and I, Where our nest and our nestlings lie. Chee, chee, chee!”