which people often make a pet of, for it is very gentle and affectionate, though it cannot talk, like the large grey parrot, which is far the best talker of all. A friend of ours had two of these little birds. They were called Polly and Nancy, and they were so perfectly tame that they were never kept in a cage, but allowed to go just where they liked, in and out of the house and garden. They knew their names quite well, would come when called, and follow any one just like a cat or dog. Nancy was the quieter and shier of the two, and seldom went farther than the verandah; but Polly, being of a more venturesome turn, used to make excursions all across the garden on exploring expeditions in search of dainties; for they were greedily inclined birds, and always on the look-out for something good to eat, and the fruit proved a great attraction. It was this spirit of greediness which very nearly caused Polly to lose her life. She knew where to find a particular sort of fruit of which she was very fond, and one day, when no one was looking, she set off to go the whole length of the garden, which was a very long one, to get some of it. But, alas, poor Poll! she had only reached about half way when a large hawk hovering overhead spied her out, and immediately

pounced down, and was bearing her off in his sharp claws, when luckily Polly's piteous cries attracting the attention of the person she belonged to, he rushed out just in time, and, shouting with all his might, frightened the hawk, so that he let his prize drop. And poor Polly was picked up almost insensible, but in no way injured, and after she recovered from her fright was as well as

ever.

Foolish little bird! she was more cautious after that, and took care not to venture quite so far from home again. It was rather extraordinary, I think, that the hawk should have dropped her, as they are fierce birds, and will not usually give up their prey so easily.

A kind of canary lived in our part of Africa, but I am afraid I cannot say much in his praise,

He was of a

for he was not a very pretty bird. dull greenish colour, and he never seemed to sing, as those do which we are accustomed to see in cages and aviaries in England, and which come principally from the Canary Islands.

We had wood-pigeons, very like our English ones to look at; but they do not make quite the same soothing cooing, which is so delightful to listen to in the woods in summer-time at home. They make one 'coo,' and then stop short with a jerk and begin again. In spite of being rather disappointing in this way, they were always welcome on account of their being more like English birds than any wild ones we had, excepting the swallow, and then he was only a visitor.

The Java sparrow, of which we had a great many on our farm, is a pretty, slender little fellow, of a smooth, brown colour, with a bright scarlet beak, and is not at all like our English sparrow in any way. He is only about half the size, and altogether much more gentlemanly and refined-looking. He is a modest, shy little thing, and very different in his manners to our tame, impudent one at home, who always seems to consider that all the world belongs to him.

F

We missed our English birds dreadfully in Africa, and more than all did we miss their sweet songs. Nearly all African birds are almost silent, or they make harsh, discordant noises, anything but pleasant to hear. We had one that used to sing, and only one, that

I can remember, of the many kinds that lived in the trees round our house, and this one had notes extremely like our thrush's; neither was he altogether unlike it in looks, being a large brown bird. He used to come and sit on a bush near one of the windows, and sing most delightfully for hours at a time. I wish I could recollect his name, but I am sorry to say it has quite gone out of my mind; but I know we were always glad to see him and listen to his sweet song.

One other bird I must mention before I close this chapter, the lori, a brownish bird, with splendid scarlet wings, the beauty of which has caused him to be a victim to thoughtless vanity, as well as humming-birds, birds of paradise, and many others that are used for the purpose of adorning ladies' hats.

ADDOZ AND JENNY.

HESE were the names of two monkeys. Jenny was the first to live with us, so I will write her story first, though we had her such a short time that I fear there is not much to tell about her.

She was given to us by some people at a place near the sea where we were staying. They did not care about monkeys, so to save her from neglect, and from perhaps being killed, we took her, and she travelled with us to our home, a great many miles away. She was a dear, gentle little thing, and, unlike most monkeys, always good-tempered. They are generally snappish and uncertain, but she never was.

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