Page:Story of the robins.djvu/132

118 her part she longed to see the world, and to know how the higher ranks of birds behaved themselves, and what pleasures they enjoyed; and Dicky declared he felt the same wish, though he must confess he had great dread of birds of prey. "Oh," said Flapsy, "they will never seize such a pretty creature as you, Dicky, I am sure."

"Why, if beauty can prevail against cruelty, you will be secure, my sweet sister," replied he, "for your delicate shape must plead in your behalf." Just as he had finished his speech a hawk appeared in sight, on which the whole party was seized with a most uncommon sensation, and threw themselves on their backs, screaming with all their might; and at the same instant the cries of numbers of little birds echoed through the orchard. The red-breasts soon recovered, and rising on their feet, looked about to see what was become of the cause of their consternation; when they beheld him high in the air, bearing off some unhappy victim, a few of whose feathers fell near the young family, who, on examining them, found they belonged to a goldfinch; on which Pecksy observed that it was evident these savages paid no attention to personal beauty. Dicky was so terrified, he knew not what to do, and had thoughts of flying back to the nest, but after