In our next number we shall tell some curious adventures between Jack and the beetles. [Illustration] The Moon. Here is a picture of the moon, not as it appears to the naked eye, but as it looks when seen through a telescope. By means of a telescope, we know that the moon is a great round world. It has hills and valleys and mountains upon it; but it probably has no sea. Whether there are people living in the moon, we cannot tell, but it is probable there are; perhaps, too, that there are animals of various kinds in the moon. The moon looks bright, because the sun shines upon it. When the moon does not appear to be round, it is because the sun does not light the whole of the surface turned toward us. It is very pleasant to read about the moon, and the sun, and the stars; and all children who will learn to read well, can know a great deal about these interesting things. [Illustration] The Meadow Lark. This is one of the handsomest birds that belongs to our country. Its back is brown, mingled with black; its breast is a bright yellow marked with black. It comes to New England in April. It lives in the meadows; and both at morning and evening, it loves to mount an apple tree, and sing its song. This consists of a few simple notes, and though they are a little sad, they are not unpleasing. The bird builds its nest on the ground, and hatches three or four young ones at a time. When autumn comes, the larks gather in small flocks, and proceed to the south, where they spend the winter; but when the cold weather is gone, and the snow has all departed, they come back to the places where they were born and bred, singing their songs, as if pleased to return. [Illustration] The Bird’s Nest. Do you see how carefully and how curiously this bird has built its nest? Do you see how neatly it is tied to the tall grass? how nicely it is rounded? how well it is bound together? This bird has taken a deal of pains to build its nest, and do you not think it would be cruel to destroy it? The nest is a place where the little bird and its mate expect to hatch their young ones; where they expect to shelter them, feed them, and bring them up, till they can fly away and take care of themselves. How sad would the little birds be if any one should come along and carry away their pretty home, and destroy all their hopes and happiness! Would not your father and mother be sorry, if any cruel person should come and destroy their house? Why then shall boys and girls destroy the houses of the pretty birds? MERRY’S MUSEUM. Vol. V. MAY 1843. No. 5. [Illustration] Shrine of San Rosalia, at Palermo.