The History of the Robins - Livres de poche

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER XI. WE FIBST LESSON IN FLYING?THE YOUNG BIRDS IN THE OBOHABD? THEY ABB BEEN THERE BY THE CHILDREN. the father entered the nest, he cried out with a cheerful voice, "Well, my nestlings, are you all ready ?" " Yes," they replied. The mother then advanced, and desired that each of them would get upon the edge of the nest. Robin and Pecksy sprang up in an instant; but Dicky and Flapsy, being timorous, were not so expeditious. The hearts of the parents felt great delight at the view they now had of their young family, which appeared to be strong, vigorous, and lively, and, in a word, endued with every gift of nature requisite to their success in the world. " Now," said the father, " stretch your wings, Robin, and flutter them a little, in this manner" (showing him the way); " and be sure to observe my directions exactly. Very well," said he; " do not attempt to fly yet, for here is neither air nor space enough for that purpose. Walk gently after me to 92 LEARNING TO FLY. the wall; then follow me to the tree that stands close to it, and hop on from branch to branch, as you will see me do; then rest yourself; and as soon as you see me fly away, spread your wings, and exert all the strength you have to follow me." Robin acquitted himself to admiration, and alighted very safely on the ground. " Now stand still," said the father, " till the rest join us." Then going back, he called upon Dicky to do the same as his brother had done. But Dicky was very fearful of fluttering his wings, for he was a little coward, and expressed many fears that he should not reach the ground without falling, as they were such a great height from it. His father, who was a very courageous bird, was quite angry with him. " Why, you foolish little thing," said he, " do you mea...