THE NURSERY _A Monthly Magazine_ FOR YOUNGEST READERS. VOLUME XXX.--No. 6. BOSTON: THE NURSERY PUBLISHING COMPANY, NO. 36 BROMFIELD STREET. 1881. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1881, by THE NURSERY PUBLISHING COMPANY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. [Illustration: JOHN WILSON & SON UNIVERSITY PRESS] [Illustration: Contents.] IN PROSE. PAGE The Bird-Store 353 What Astonished Charley 357 The Christmas Carol 358 How the Sheep were Saved 360 The Two Rats 362 The Roman Pigeon 366 Ready for a Walk 370 Lily and her Kitten 371 Thirsty Billy 373 About Windmills 375 Annie's Gift 376 Flossie's Pet Alligator 378 IN VERSE. Christmas 355 That Girl 356 A Funny Little Boy 365 A Defiance 374 "The Nursery" to its Readers 379 [Illustration] [Illustration: THE BIRD-STORE. VOL. XXX.--NO 6.] THE BIRD-STORE. SUSAN WELSH lived near a large store, where birds, and pet animals of various kinds, were kept for sale. She had often been there to play with the pretty creatures, and many of them had come to know her well. One large gray parrot had learned her name, and would call out, "Good-morning, Susan!" as soon as she appeared. And when she put out her hand, and said, "Shake hands," he would give his claw, and go through the ceremony very well, often saying, "Glad to see you! How do you do?" One day Susan had two little friends visit her,--Willy and Bessie Hill; and, as they had never seen a parrot, she proposed to take them to the bird-store. They were both delighted to go; and Bessie took her doll and her dog Snip with her. In her right hand she carried a cake; and the first thing the parrot said as she went towards him was, "Polly wants a cake." This made the little girl laugh. She laughed still more when the parrot took a piece of cake in his claw, and ate it, bit by bit, as nicely as she could herself. But when Snip barked at the parrot, and the parrot barked too, she thought it was the funniest thing yet, and laughed till the tears came. The parrot was so well pleased with his visitors, and talked so fast, that a boy with oranges to sell, came behind to listen. He was much astonished; for he too had never heard a bird speak before. The children looked a little at the other birds and pets; but none interested them as much as the parrot.