Elizabeth stood still. She didn't know what to make of this. But soon she began to laugh; and then she put the baby-bird gently on the ground, and went away. She at last understood what papa Robin meant to say to her by his peck. This is it: "Don't interfere when I'm teaching my child to fly. You are very big, and perhaps you know a great deal; but you don't seem to know that it's not right to keep birds in the nest all summer. They would never find out what their wings are for." FRANCES C. SPARHAWK. [Illustration] [Illustration] CARLO AND THE DUCKS. "STOP, Carlo! Come back, sir! Be still!" cried Jane, trying to hold the little dog by a string tied to his collar. But Carlo was in chase of two ducklings, and did not mind Jane's call. Of course the ducklings took to the water. Carlo ran after them to the water's edge, but there he stopped. What stopped him? Jane was tugging pretty hard at the string. That was one thing that held him back; but that was not all. Carlo was not fond of the water; but he would not have stopped for that. I will tell you what stopped him. While the ducklings were swimming away for dear life, the old mother-duck came sailing boldly up, with her great yellow beak, and faced Master Carlo. She looked like a sloop-of-war all ready for action. Carlo was a brave dog; but he was afraid of her, for all that. So he stood still and barked. Madam Duck did not mind his noise in the least. She quacked at him fiercely. This is what she meant to say: "Look here, my young friend, you are a dog, and I am a duck. You are at home on the land, but I am at home on the water. Bark as much as you please, but, if you know what is good for your health, keep out of this pond, and let my ducklings alone." "Do you hear that, Carlo?" said Jane. "Now don't stop to answer, but come with me like a good dog, and we will have a run in the woods." And then Carlo gave up his chase of the ducks, and went quietly where Jane led him. JANE OLIVER. THE NAUGHTY CAT. LITTLE JACK. 'TIS such a naughty, naughty cat! Old Tab, that's owned by aunty Gray: She growls, and spits, and shows her claws, As sharp as needles in her paws; [Illustration] And, if I try with her to play, She always seems so full of spite, She's sure to scratch me, or to bite. My hands,--they were a frightful sight When I came home last Saturday; I'm sure that she would be no loss, If she were killed, she is so cross; Now, when I see her, "Scat, scat, scat!" I mean to say, "you naughty cat!" LITTLE JANE.