BIRDS. ORDER 4.-THE SCRATCHING BIRDS. (Rasores.) NOTHING could induce the Cock to complete the history of the scratching-birds. Although he had begun his speech by a rude interruption, he would not forgive the reporter for stopping him. Thus it is always-the worst sinners are the worst forgivers. Papa was therefore obliged to complete the history of the order. ther in pairs, and that the male bird, as well as the female, sits upon the eggs. This, you know, is not the case with fowls. The Pigeon is also remarkable for its double crop, and for the milky substance contained in it. This milky substance is useful when the bird is feeding its young. The food which it swallows is moistened with it, and it is then disgorged and given to the little ones. The principal pigeons in England are-the Ring-Dove, the Rock Pigeon, the Turtle-Dove, and others. The PassengerPigeons of North America are remarkable on account of their vast number. There, immense P. The families of Rasores mentioned by the Cock werethe Pheasants, the Grouse, the Sheath-bills, the Curassowbirds, and others. These are all called "Gallinaceous" birds, and those which are domesticated are called Poultry. They may be compared to the hollow-flocks may be seen, measuring horned animals in the order of nearly 200 miles in length and Ruminants the Oxen, Sheep, one mile in breadth. One flock Goats, and Antelopes, which has been calculated to contain are all called Cattle. 1,115,000,000 pigeons! which The fifth and last family of are supposed to consume this order are the Pigeons, or 8,712,000 bushels of food per COLUMBIDA. These differ a day. The places where they little from the families you have heard of, for they are much like the perching-birds. Can you tell me why? W. First, Pigeons have long wings, and they fly like the perching-birds. L. Secondly, they perch on the trees as well as walk on the ground. P. True; and their feet are more adapted for perching than those of the fowls. You may notice, thirdly, that they live toge breed are described as large forests, containing 200 square miles. When they alight, the branches bend under them, and thousands may easily be knocked down. The Tree Pigeons, which have long wings, and the Ground Doves, which have short, rounded wings, are other members of the Pigeon family. We will now make a short memory lesson on this order. (While Lucy was writing the Ostrich. Hem-m (Here self a profound disquisition the speaker was interrupted by containing a clear and full exa violent fit of coughing.) Parrot. (Coming forward.) I am sure that the meeting will grant every indulgence to the speaker, who is, it seems, too much indisposed. W. (aside to Ada) Yes; he is not disposed for anything. Ada. (aside) The sooner he is disposed of the better. Parrot. So indisposed L. Perhaps he is not indisposed to take a seat; he must be out of breath. Parrot. No. I mean to say that his severe indisposition must be so evident W. He's not severe in his disposition. It is not at all evident. It's evident that Parrot. No, no. I mean to say that for a public speaker a severe cold is a most awkward indisposition. W. Yes, we are all in a most awkward position. I feel such an indisposition to listen again that I am disposed to go home. Parrot. As the chairman, that seems to me the way to dispose of the question. So-in right of my position-without further preposition-I make the proposition -on account of our friend's indisposition-not to trouble him with any further imposition. I will take down from him a full deposition; and, having put a few words in addition, I will give you my position-to be listened to with respect and submission-when I find you in a more attentive condition. (As soon as the room was cleared, and all was quiet, papa sat down and wrote the following memory lesson on the 4th order, for the children to learn. Lucy had, you remember, been interrupted by the entrance of the Ostrich.) Memory Lesson, 2. BIRDS. ORDER 4.-RASORES. Most of the birds of this order have (1) legs fitted for walking on the ground, which are furnished with short, blunt claws fitted for scratching; (2) wings which are short, and not wellfitted for flying; (3) plump and fleshy bodies; (4) a large crop, and very strong gizzard. They are peculiar also because they do not generally associate in pairs. The order may on many accounts be compared to the Ruminants amongst mammals. The principal tribes of the order are the PHEASANT TRIBE, including the Fowls, Turkeys, &c., the GROUSE TRIBE, the CURASSOW-BIRDS, the SHEATH-BILLS, and other birds, which are known as "Gallinaceous;" besides these are the numerous birds of the PIGEON TRIBE. Nor many wise, rich, noble, or profound The poor should gain it, and the rich should not. ALL THAT HAVE LIFE AND BREATH. Soprano and Alto. Tenor. MENDELSSOHN.* All that have life and breath,Sing to the Lord. All that have life and breath, Sing to the Lord. All that have life and breath, Sing,&c. Bass. Reprinted from the Hymn of Praise (Lobgesang), by permission of the English proprietor, Mr. J. Alfred Novello. A JOURNAL OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE FAMILY AND THE SCHOOL. 20th Week. MONDAY. Natural History. BIRDS. ORDER 5.-RUNNING BIRDS. Parrot. You may remember that at our last meeting some of the company were contumacious-that is a new word which I have learned. I have since, according to my promise, taken a deposition" from my friend the Ostrich, who is now present. In the first place I may as well tell you how I became acquainted with the ostrich and her order, for I came from Africa. I had one day wandered far from my forest to the borders of the desert, where a number of ostriches and zebras were in quiet company. While they were feeding together in a friendly way, they were attacked by two or three men on horseback. The whole flock were quickly in motion. The zebras started, but the ostriches soon outran them. They passed like the wind, they ran on their two legs, and helped themselves on by the flapping of their wings. The men on horseback were left far behind. But as the ostriches were driving on, in a straight line, they were stopped by other horsemen, who started out of (Cursores.) the woods upon them and turned them in another direction. They had not gone very far before they were met by other hunters, and as they turned again to another point, other pursuers again crossed their path. One or two ostriches were soon shot down, but one fought out the battle bravely; it turned on its pursuers with the greatest fury and inflicted most dreadful wounds with its claws. young ostrich was taken home as a prisoner. I met him once or twice afterwards-he was perfectly tame and very gentle. On one occasion he was sauntering on, in a free and easy way, with two men on his back. This ostrich was seven feet and a half high. One I thus learned, you see, that ostriches are strong and swiftindeed, from the swiftness of the large flocks which I have seen scouring along the plains, I should say that this bird is the swiftest of all running animals. The food of the ostrich is very various. It eats the tops of shrubby plants found in the desert; seeds, and grain. When hungry it is very voracious and |