Page:Story of the robins.djvu/143

Rh chaffinch dropped dead to the ground. His parents were greatly shocked at this accident; on which the cock redbreast attempted to comfort them with his strains; but finding them deaf to his music, he begged to know the cause of the quarrel. "Oh," answered the hen chaffinch, "my nestling is lost through his own folly. I cautioned him repeatedly not to make acquaintance with sparrows, knowing they would lead him into mischief; but no remonstrances would prevail. As soon as he began to peck about, he formed a friendship with one of that voracious breed, who undertook to teach him to fly and provide for himself; so he left his parents, and continually followed the sparrow, who taught him to steal corn and other things, and to quarrel with every bird he met: I expected to see him killed continually. At length his companion grew tired of him, and picked a quarrel, which ended as you have seen. However, this is better than if he had been caught by men and hung up. as I have seen many a bird, for a spectacle, to deter others from stealing. Let me advise you, my young friends," said she, addressing herself to the young redbreasts, "to follow your parents' directions in every respect, and avoid bad company."

She then, accompanied by her mate, flew back to