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92 render the ground I lie on intolerably hot? What kind beak will supply me with food to assuage the pangs of hunger which I shall soon feel? By what means shall I procure even a drop of water to quench that thirst which so frequently returns? Who will protect me from the various tribes of barbarous animals which I have been told make a prey of birds? Oh, my dear, my tender mother! if the sound of my voice can reach your ears, pity my condition, and fly to my succour!" The kind parent waited not for further solicitation, but parting from the branch on which she had been a painful eye-witness of Robin's fall, she instantly stood before him. "I have listened," said she, "to your lamentations, and since you seem convinced of your error, I will not add to your sufferings by my reproaches; my heart relents towards you, and gladly would I afford you all the aid in my power; but, alas! I can do but little for your relief. However, let me persuade you to exert all the strength you have, and use every effort for your own preservation; I will endeavour to procure you some refreshment, and at the same time contrive the means of fixing you in a place of more security and comfort than that in which you at present lie." So saying, she flew to