The Nursery, No. 169, January, 1881, Vol. XXIX | Page 6

the bird to his sister Edith. They named it Jack.
Jack was quite a large bird. His body was black as coal; his breast was white; and his wings and tail shaded off into a dark green. His bill was long and very strong. He had a shrewd, knowing look. As he was quite tame, he must have been some one's pet.
He would hop and strut around in such a funny, pompous way, that one could not help laughing. He would take food from any one's hand, but would not let any one touch him, except Mr. Hart, the children's father.
To Mr. Hart he seemed to take a great liking. He would hop on to his hand or shoulder: he would follow him all over the place. As soon as Mr. Hart came into the house, Jack would stand outside the door, and scream to him to come out. Indeed, Jack was almost too fond of him.
One day when Mr. Hart was chopping wood, Jack kept laying his bill within two or three inches of the place where the axe fell. It seemed just as if he wanted his bill chopped off.
Jack could talk a little. He could say "pretty," "what," and "yes, sir." When hungry, he would come round to the kitchen-door. There he would keep up a loud chattering, till food was given him to eat.
Jack was shy of Marcus, the dog. But, while Marcus was eating his dinner, Jack would steal up, and seize a bone from the plate. Then he would run off and hide it.
I believe that all magpies are thieves. I know that Jack was a sad thief. He would carry off almost any thing he saw lying about. One day he was caught in the act of carrying off the gardener's pipe.
It was fun for Ernest and Edith to watch him at his mischief. All summer they made much of him. Now, in October, though the trees are still green and the wild flowers are not gone, we have had in our Colorado home a taste of winter.
[Illustration: Jack the magpie and the dog.]
The ground has been white with snow. Jack is still with us, and seems quite happy. Edith and Ernest may stay here all winter. Perhaps I may tell you something of their winter sports. Would you like to hear it?
AUNT SADIE.

PORTRAITS FOR LITTLE FOLKS.
[Illustration: Master Baby]
This is Master Baby, Paying a morning call, Sitting so good upon his chair, But speaking not at all. Listening to every word, The funny little man! Wondering at the news he hears, Thinking all he can.
[Illustration: Miss Mary Vernon]
This little lady, I'd have you know, Is Miss Mary Vernon, With cheeks in a glow. She has a doll Bella, Quite dear to her heart, And takes her to ride In a nice little cart.
[Illustration: Tommy Trip]
This is Tommy Trip: Bubbles he can blow; When a bubble breaks too soon, Tommy cries, "Don't go!" Older folks I know, Who their fine schemes make, And, when any fine scheme fails, Cry, "Oh, do not break!"
[Illustration: Susan]
'Tis the winter cold, All the ponds are ice; Susan loves the winter cold, Calls the weather nice. Warm with muff and coat, She can go and skate; She can glide along the ice At a merry rate.
[Illustration: Mary Jane]
This is Mary Jane, See! she has a saucer: To her cat she says, "Give me up your paw, sir. I've some fresh, nice milk You will relish greatly." Pussy then put up her paw; All this happened lately.
[Illustration: Baby May]
This is Baby May: She looks out to spy If her own dear papa comes On the road near by. Yes, she sees him now, He is coming fast; For he loves his Baby May, Loves her first and last.
K.G.

THE BASKET OF APPLES.
[Illustration: THE BASKET OF APPLES.]
I.
Albert is a bright little fellow. He is not three years old; but he can read ten words in "The Nursery." These words are, cat, dog, cow, horse, bird, mother, father, brother, sister, apple.
One day, John the gardener left a basket of apples at the top of the garden-steps. Albert saw it, and knew it was meant for the house. "I will take it in," said he. "I am strong."
[Illustration: Albert II]
II.
But the basket was not so light as he had thought. Indeed it was quite heavy. Perhaps this was because it was full of apples. The gardener had just picked them from a fine old tree in the orchard.
Albert was a stout little fellow; but the basket was too much for him. In trying to lift it, he upset it; and some of the apples rolled out down the steps as fast as they could go. Perhaps they saw it was a good chance to run away.
[Illustration: Albert III]
III.
Albert did not cry. He knew that crying