LILY AND HER DUCKLINGS.


The white duck, Lily, made a nest on the ground, in a small enclosure,
from which some tame rabbits had been removed. She gathered the
scattered straw into one corner, and made a much neater nest than the
other ducks did, who laid their eggs under the wood-pile among the
small chips.

She laid several large, smooth, white eggs, and when she had as many
as she could conveniently take care of, she began to sit on them to
keep them warm, till the little ducks should be ready to peck their
way out. She plucked the soft white down from her breast, to line the
nest, and to make it of a more even temperature for the eggs; and,
whenever she left to procure food, or to take a short swim on the
pond, she carefully covered them.

The duck cannot spread her wings as wide as the hen, so she has to be
much more particular about her nest. She makes it deeper and warmer
than Biddy. It is wonderful with what skill all animals rear their
young. It shows the great goodness and kindness of God, that he should
thus fit the creatures he has made for the duties they must perform.
His care is continual, not only over us, but over them all. He hears
the young ravens when they cry, and the ducks and the chickens are not
forgotten by him. To the duck he has not given the brooding wings of
the hen-mother; but he has given her a coat of down, from which she
can make a warm bed for her cherished eggs.

It was a very pretty sight to see Lily on her nest, almost covered by