The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Short History of Birds and Beasts for the Amusement and Instruction of Children, by Anonymous.

There is no bird treated with so much cruelty as the Cock; for he, poor[6] thing, (without the least offence,) is tied to a stake, and thrown at by a set of idle, wicked, barbarous fellows, till he is beaten in pieces. This is a custom the very heathens would blush at; and therefore I hope you, who are a christian, will never be guilty of any thing so inhuman.

The Parrot is a chattering bird, he talks a great deal, yet knows not what he says; and is therefore not unlike some silly boys, who prate without thinking, and learn their lesson without looking at their book.

There’s the pretty Cuckow! This good-natured bird comes a long journey once every year to see all his friends, and sing them a song. And after he has obliged them with his company about three months, he takes his leave, and returns to his own country again.

This is the good-natured Cow to which we are all so much obliged. She comes, poor thing! in the morning, and brings her udder full of milk for[10] our breakfast, and the same at night for our supper. To her we are indebted for our custards, cheesecakes, curds and cream, as well as for our milk, butter, and cheese.

What a pretty bird the Nightingale is! How sweetly she sings! I could wish ’twas summer all the year for the sake of her good company.

See the little Lamb! how innocent he looks! he never did any harm, and therefore is beloved by every body: but the fox and the wolf, who are always in mischief, are hated and despised.

Though the Lion is such a strong devouring creature, yet Daniel was thrown into a den among several of[14] them, and received no harm. For he was punished on account of his religion and virtue, he prayed unto God, and the Lord delivered him.

When the prophet Jonah attempted to fly over sea from the presence of the Lord there arose a great storm, and[16] he being cast into the deep, was swallowed by this great fish, in whose belly he repented sincerely, and prayed unto God; wherefore the Lord commanded the fish, and he swam to shore, and cast him upon dry land.

This gaudy Butterfly owes its being to a poor worm, and has nothing to boast of but his fine wings, which perhaps will[18] be lost the first frosty day: and then his case will be much like the coxcomb’s, who having lost his fine hat and bag wig, has nothing to support him but a head full of emptiness.

This terrible creature is said to weep over his prey before he devours it, as if he was unwilling to destroy any thing; but in truth, that whining is only to[20] bring other creatures to see what’s the matter, that Mr. Crocodile may get another snap for his belly.

Though this animal makes such a mean figure, yet Sampson, with the jawbone of an Ass, slew a thousand men. But then the Lord was with him, and God Almighty can do any thing.

This little creature was a great favourite with the wise king Solomon, who much admired her industry and carefulness,[23] and recommends her to the consideration of every idle person.

The HISTORY of SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON and HIS CAT. Price 1d.

SCRIPTURE HISTORIES; from the Creation of the World to the Death of Jesus Christ. With a Description of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. Price 1d.

WILLIAM and GEORGE. The Rich Boy and the Poor Boy; or, A contented Mind is the best Feast. Price 1d.

The WILD-BEAST SHOW. Price 1d.

NOTHING at ALL. Price 1d.

The FAITHFUL DOG. A Tale. Price 1d.

GLEANINGS from NATURAL HISTORY: for the Amusement and Instruction of Youth. Price 1d.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A SHORT HISTORY OF BIRDS & BEASTS, FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN ***

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The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Short History of Birds & Beasts, for the Amusement and Instruction of Children

FRONTISPIECE.

A
SHORT HISTORY
OF
BIRDS & BEASTS,
FOR THE
Amusement and Instruction
OF
CHILDREN.

THE COCK.

THE PARROT.

THE CUCKOW.

THE COW.

THE NIGHTINGALE.

THE LAMB.

THE LION.

THE WHALE.

THE BUTTERFLY.

THE CROCODILE.

THE ASS.

THE ANT.

BOOKS
PRINTED AND SOLD BY
F. HOULSTON & SON,
65, Paternoster-Row, London;
and at
WELLINGTON, SALOP.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE