Inquisitive Jack and His Aunt Mary, by Peter Parley (Revised by T. Wilson). (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 Excerpt: ...to sit upon the eggs, and her consort was always at hand when any cat or bird intruded upon his dominions. He spent a good deal of his time in singing; in part, I suppose, to amuse himself, and in part to amuse his little lady. Well, after a time, there were four young birds in the nest, and both Mr. and Mrs. Wren were too busy in feeding their children to sing or play. They caught flies, and moths, and spiders, and gave them to their young ones, and it was amazing to see what a number of these insects the little wrens ate, and it was really amusing to see how serious and silent the old wrens appeared to be. The little ones grew apace, and in a short time it was thought best for them to leave the nest. You may well believe that Jack was on the look-out to see the little creatures take to their wings for the first time. In the first place, one of the young birds put his head through the hole in the box, and looked all round to see if the coast was clear. It was amazing to see how cunning the little fellow was, though only a fortnight old. The old wrens were at a short distance, chattering at a great rate, and seeming to invite the little fellow to try his wing. At last he took courage, leaped from the box, and alighted safely upon a fence at some distance. Now how do you think this little bird knew how to fly--where to go--and how to alight upon the fence?--for you must remember that he had never been out of the box before. I suppose you will tell me that he was guided by instinct--that strange power given by the Creator--and you will tell me right. After the first one had departed, the others came out one by one, and all were successful in their first flight, except the last. This little fellow, in attempting to alight upon the fence, missed his footing, an...