Part 28

The Australian Bower Bird is an extensive builder; it not only builds its nest in a tree but it builds a palace on the ground in the shape of a bower hut, furnishes it with nick-nacks such as shells, bones, pieces of mineral, metals, bright parrots' feathers and other trifles. What the English magpie would steal and hide away the Bower Bird openly decorates his pavilion with. Often several birds collect together and play like children, running in, out, and around their wonderful bower-palace as shown in our picture.

Lyre Bird

The Australian Lyre Bird is a most beautiful creature, said to be a variety of the Bird of Paradise. It runs very quickly, and springs very high, and calls very loudly. It lays but one egg a year and, consequently, only has one baby per annum. It is a great mimic. Mr. Metcalfe in his "Australian Zoology", describing it, says: "It is a consummate mimic and ventriloquist. It imitates to perfection the notes of all other birds, the united voices of a flock of parrakeets, the barking of dogs, the sawing of timber and the clink of the woodman's axe. This it has earned for itself the title of the Australian Mocking Bird."

Our Seven Funny Australian Natives

The Kangaroo says, whenever I jump, I always come down with a great big thump.

The Emu can give a nasty kick; Which is worse than getting a hit with a brick.

I'm but a funny wild, little, spotted Native Cat, With claws and tail like a squirrel and a nose like a rat.

Common people call me simply Mr. PLATYPUS, Learned people call me Mr. OR-NI-THO-RINK-KUS.

I'm bit a little Native Bear, and am so happy and bright, I sleep and dream in a tree by day, and climb about at night.

The clever Bower Bird builds his nest up a tree, And his beautiful palace down on the lea.

Here we see a pretty bird, of its voice you will never tire, But tho' it mocks the sounds it hears the bird is still a Lyre.

_(By a Company of Three Particularly Poor Poets.)_

[Illustration: Tiny Child Astride a Giant Emu Egg harnessed to two Lyre Birds.]

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Cat Stories

Puss in the Well

Ding dong dell, pussy's in the well! Who put her in?--little Tommy Lin. Who pulled her out?--dog with long snout. What a naughty boy was that To drown poor pussy cat, Who never did any harm But kill'd the mice in his father's barn.

The Singing Cat

A cat came fiddling out of a barn, With a pair of bagpipes under her arm; She could sing nothing but fiddle cum fee, The mouse has married the bumble-bee. Pipe cat--dance, mouse, We'll have a wedding at our good house.

Puss in London

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been? I've been to London to visit the Queen. Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there? I frighten'd a little mouse under the chair.

Pussy-Cat and Mousey

Pussy-Cat lives in the servant's hall, She can set up her back and purr; The little mice live in a crack in the wall, But they hardly dare venture to stir; For whenever they think of taking the air, Or filling their little maws, The Pussy-cat says, "Come out if you dare; I will catch you all with my claws." Scramble, scramble, scramble, went all the little Mice, For they smelt the Cheshire cheese, The Pussy-Cat said, "It smells very nice, Now do come out, if you please." "Squeak," said the little Mouse; "squeak, squeak, squeak," Said all the little ones too; "We never creep out when cats are about, Because we're afraid of you." So the cunning old Cat lay down on a mat By the fire in the servants' hall: "If the little Mice peep, they'll think I'm asleep;" So she rolled herself up like a ball. "Squeak," said the little Mouse, "we'll creep out And eat some Cheshire cheese, That silly old Cat is asleep on the mat, And we may sup at our ease." Nibble, nibble, nibble went all the little mice, And they licked their little paws; Then the cunning old Cat sprang up from the mat, And caught them all with her claws.

Puss in the Pantry

Hie, hie, says Anthony, puss in the pantry Gnawing, gnawing a mutton, mutton-bone; See now she tumbles it, see now she mumbles it, See how she tosses the mutton, mutton-bone,

Dick killed Puss

Do look at the cat! why, what is she at? She's catching a rat that's hid in Dick's hat. Dick ran for a bat to knock him down flat, But, crossing the mat the foolish young brat Tripped up and fell flat, He half killed the cat Instead of the rat, Hal cried out that that Was just tit for tat.

[Illustration: Monkey Feeding Puss a Bottle of Ink.]

Puss and the Monkey

Says Mr. Monkey, giving a wink; "It would be exceedingly funny, I think, To catch the cat, and give her a drink, Out of a great big bottle of ink."

So, suiting the action to word, He caught up Puss, but she demurred; And made such a noise you never heard, And said it 'twas worse than eating a bird.

The Puss she didn't like ink at all! She didn't like bottles great or small; Ink to her was worse than gall, And so she did nothing but spit, mew, and squall. And that's all!

Sing Sing

Sing, sing, what shall I sing? The cat has ate the pudding-string! Do, do, what shall I do? The cat has bit it quite in two.

Good Puss

Poor Puss, dear, lovely pretty puss, Content at home to stay; Thy pleasure's shown in gambol tricks And loves to skip and play.

Grateful for every sup of milk, And for every bit of meat; Gives lively proof of gratitude By singing while you eat.

See, how she cleans her sleeky skin! A soil would prove a flow; She licks her neck, her sides and back, And don't forget her paw.

Mary's Puss Drowned

Mary had a little cat, With long snow-white hair. Such a merry little cat, Jumping everywhere.

When Mary went to take a walk, Pussy ran to meet her, Rubbed its head against her frock And said, 'Purr, purr,' to greet her.

Once, when Mary was at school, Some cruel bad boys found it, And in a pond beside the road, Oh, sad to tell, they drowned it!

Poor Mary's face was wet with tears, When she found Pussy lying:-- I would not be a cruel boy, To set poor Mary crying.

My Pussy

I love little Pussy, her coat is so warm; And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm, So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But Pussy and I very gently will play. She'll sit by my side, and I'll give her some food; And Pussy will love me, because I am good. Oh! here is Miss Pussy, she's drinking her milk; Her coat is as soft and as glossy as silk. She sips the milk up with her little lap-lap; Then, wiping her whiskers, lies down for a nap. My kitty is gentle, she loves me right well; How funny her play is I'm sure I can't tell. Now under the sofa, now under the table. She runs and plays bopeep as well as she's able. Oh! dearly I love her! you never did see Two happier playmates than kitty and me.

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Dame Trot

Dame Trot once went to a neighbouring fair. And what do you think she bought herself there? A pussy! the prettiest ever was seen; No cat was so gentle, so clever and clean.

Each dear little paw was as black as a sloe, The rest of her fur was white as the snow, Her eyes were bright green, and her sweet little face Was pretty and meek, full of innocent grace.

Dame Trot hurried home with this beautiful cat; Went upstairs to take off her cloak and her hat; And when she came down she was astonished to see That Pussy was busy preparing the tea.

"Oh, what a strange cat!" thought poor little Dame Trot, "She'll break my best china and upset the pot." But no harm befell them: the velvety paws Were quite sure; the Dame for alarm had no cause.

Next morning when little Dame Trot came downstairs, To attend as usual, to household affairs, She found that the kitchen was swept up as clean As if Puss a regular servant had been.

The tea stood to draw, and the toast was done brown; The Dame very pleased to her breakfast sat down; While Puss by her side on an armchair sat up, And lapped her warm milk from a nice china cup.

Now Spot, the old house-dog, looked on in amaze, He'd never been used to such queer cattish ways, Put Puss mewed so sweetly, and moved with such grace, That Spot at last liked her, and licked her white face.

Poor little Dame Trot had no money to spare, And only too often her cupboard was bare; Then kind Mrs Pussy would catch a nice fish, And serve it for dinner upon a clean dish.

The rats and the mice, who wished Pussy to please, Were now never seen at the butter and cheese; The Dame daily found that their numbers grew thinner, For Puss ate a mouse every day for her dinner.

If Puss had a weakness, I need but confess 'Twas a girl of the period's fancy for dress, Her greatest desire a high chignon and hat, And a very short dress _a la mode_ for a cat.

So one day when Dame Trot had gone out to dine, Puss dressed herself up, as she thought, very fine, And coaxed kind old Spot, who looked at her with pride, To play pony for her, and give her a ride.

Now Spot, who to welcome his mistress desired, And to "company manners" had never aspired, Jumped up to fawn on her--and down came the cat, And crushed, in her tumble, her feather and hat.

"Oh, puss!" said Dame Trot, "what a very sad mess! You'd best have remained in your natural dress; The graces which Nature so kindly bestows Are more often hid than improved by fine clothes.

Mistress Puss and Doggy

A little dog said, and he looked very wise, "I think, Mistress Pus, You make a great fuss With your back and your great green eyes And you, Madam Duck, You waddle and cluck, Till it gives one the fidgets to hear you; You'd better run off To the old pig's trough, Where none but the pigs, ma'am, are near you."

The duck was good-natured, and she ran away; But old pussy-cat With her back up sat, And said she intended to stay; And she showed him her paws, With her sharp, long claws, So the dog was afraid to come near, For Puss if she pleases, When a little dog teases Can give him a box on the ear.

Don't Hurt Puss

I like little pussy, her coat is so warm, And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm; So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But Pussy and I very gently will play.

[Illustration: Cat with Head stuck in Broken Milk Jug.]

Head In The Milk Jug

Ho! Master, Mistress, Mary, run, Your Tabby is in grief; This broken jug caught hold of me As though I were a thief.

Cat Up The Plum Tree

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty, The cat ran up the plum tree I lay you a crown I'll fetch her down; So diddledy, diddledy, dumpty.

Pussy-Cat Mole

Pussy Cat Mole Jumped over a coal, And in her best petticoat burnt a great hole Poor Pussy is weeping, she'll have no more milk Until her best petticoat's mended with silk.

The Three Little Kittens

Three little kittens they lost their mittens, And they began to cry, "Oh! mammy dear, we sadly fear, Our mittens we have lost." "What! lost your mittens, You naughty kittens, Then you shall have no pie." Miew, miew miew, miew.

The three little kittens had need of mittens: The winter was now nigh. "Oh! mammy dear, we fear, we fear, Our mittens we shall need." "Go, seek your mittens, You silly kittens; There's a tempest in the sky." Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens, in seeking their mittens, Upset the table high. "Oh! mammy dear, we doubt and fear, The house is tumbling down," "You foolish kittens, Go find your mittens, And do not make things fly." Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they found their mittens, And they began to cry, "Oh! mammy dear, see here, see here, Our mittens we have found." "What! found your mittens, You little kittens; Then you shall have some pie." Purr, purr, purr, purr.

The three little kittens put on their mittens, And soon ate up the pie; "Oh! mammy dear, we greatly fear, Our mittens we have soiled." "What! soiled your mittens, You naughty kittens!" Then they began to sigh. Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens, And hung them up to dry. "Oh! mammy dear, look here, look here, Our mittens we have washed," "What! washed your mittens, You darling kittens!-- But I smell a rat close by! Hush! Hush!" Miew, miew.

The three little kittens put off their mittens, A hunting match to try. "Oh! mammy dear, his hole is here: Our mittens down we fling." Both cat and kittens Flung down their mittens; When--whisk!--the rat ran by. Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The Dunce of a Kitten

Come, Pussy, will you learn to read? I've got a pretty book: Nay, turn this way, you must indeed, Fie, there's a sulky look!

Here's a pretty picture, see An apple with a great A; How stupid you will ever be If you do nought but play!

Come, A B C, an easy task, What anyone can do, I will do anything you ask, For dearly I love you.

No, no, your lesson is not done, You have not learnt it half; You'll grow a downright simpleton, And make the people laugh.

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Old Daddy Hubbard and His Cat

Old Daddy Hubbard Went to the cupboard, To get poor Puss some meat; But when he got there, I do declare, There was nothing but two pig's feet.

Daddy went to the fish shop To get Puss a sprat, And when he came back, She was watching a rat.

Daddy went to the carpenter's To get Puss a house, And when he came back She was catching a mouse.

Daddy went to the miller's To get Puss some meal, And when he came back She was skinning an eel.

Daddy went to a meadow To get milk from a cow, And when he came back, Puss cried: "Me-ow, Me-ow."

Daddy went to the crockery shop To get Puss a dish, And when he came back She had caught Ma's goldfish.

Daddy went to the dairy To get Puss some curd, And when he came back She'd ate Ma's pet bird.

Daddy went to the brewer's To get Puss some beer, And when he came back She's a flea in her ear.

Daddy went for some water, To give Puss some souse, And when he came back Puss was top of the house.

Daddy went to the ironmonger's To get Puss a saw, And when he came back She had scalded her paw.

Daddy went to the photographer's To get Puss some pictures, And when he came back, She had burnt off her whiskers.

Daddy went to the garden To get Puss a snail, And when he came back She'd a bottle-brush tail.

Daddy went to the grocer's To get Puss some tea, And when he came back She had run up a tree.

Daddy went to the draper's To buy Puss some mittens, And when he came back She was licking her kittens.

Daddy went to the stable To get Puss a donkey, And when he got back She was teaching the monkey.

Daddy went to the confectioner's To buy Puss a lollie, And when he came back She was nursing the dolly.

Daddy went to get clothes To make Puss a lady, And when he came back She was kissing the baby.

Daddy took Cole's balloon And got Puss a cloud, But Puss when she saw it Laughed right out loud.

[Illustration: Laughing Cat.]

Daddy went to the store To get Puss a herring, And when he came back She kept loving and purring

Daddy went to the furrier's To get Puss a muff, And when he came back She was taking some snuff.

Daddy went to the baker's To get Puss a bun, And when he came back She was beating a drum.

Daddy went to the dressmaker's To buy Puss a frock, And when he came back She was winding the clock.

Daddy went to the jeweller's To get Puss a brooch, And when he came back She'd caught a cockroach.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade Some cheap music to buy, And when he came back Puss had made a mud pie.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade To buy Puss some pens, And when he came back She was feeding some hens.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade To buy Puss a slate, And when he came back She opened the gate.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade To buy Puss some ink, And when he came back She gave him a wink.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade For an exercise book, And when he came back Puss gave a wise look.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade To buy Puss a purse, And when he came back She was singing a verse.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade And Oh me! Oh my! And when he came back Puss had swallowed a fly.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade Some paper to buy, And when he came back Puss thought she would die.

Daddy went to the doctor's To get Puss a pill, And when he came back She still looked very ill.

Daddy went to the auction sale To buy Puss a bed, And when he came back Puss Shammed to be dead.

This was a very wise, knowing Puss; she could read and write, and liked books very, very much, and didn't want to die and be buried, and leave all the mice, and milk, and sausages, and nice books; so she made haste and got better, and when

Daddy went to the cemetery To dig her a grave, Puss rushed off at once Into Cole's Book Arcade.

And that is the present residence of Miss Puss.

[Page 153--Pussy Land]

[Illustration: Cat Pouncing On Mouse.]

The Story of a Little Mouse: Or, Our Happy Family.

Once there was a little mouse, Who came to live in our house; She came because she was terribly frighten'd To stay outside as it thunder'd and lighten'd.

When she came in 'twas nearly dark, And Ponto he began to bark; But she ran round at a rapid rate, Then darted in behind the grate.

Ponto smelt, and sniff'd, and bark'd and scratch'd, But Mousey was safe and couldn't be catch'd; So Ponto, when tired laid down to sleep, And Mousey quite quiet determined to keep.

Mousey stayed there a month, as she thought it was better, And Ponto could smell her, but never could get her, But every morning when Ponto went out, Miss Mousey crept forth, and for crumbs looked about.

Now one day as Ponto came into the house, Thinks he, I'll be KIND to that poor little mouse; "So come out Miss Mousey," our Ponto he said, "And if anyone hurts you I'll bite off his head."

So the poor little mouse came out of the grate, And ate with our Ponto out of his plate, And always when Ponto laid down on the mat, Beside him Miss Mousey in her little chair sat.

But one rainy night as Miss Mousey sat still, A thing called a bat, came over the hill; But Ponto says to him, "You are not wanted here," And sent the bat off with a flea in his ear.

The very same night as they lay on the mat, What should come rushing in but a great big rat; Up jumped Mr. Ponto and gave a loud bark, And that rat scampered off out into the dark.

They had just got rid of the bat and the rat, And what should come in but a GREAT TOM CAT; Came jumping, springing, and bounding along, And frightened Miss Mousey more than a gong.

He raced after mousey, around, in and out, Through the house and the yard, and all round about; To the East, to the West, to the North, to the South, And at last caught her up in his great big mouth.

He squeezed her back hard and frighten'd her so, She scarcely could say, "O, please let me go!" But Tom spoke and said, "Mouse is very good meat, And as I feel hungry, why, it's you I shall eat."

Tom let her go once, but caught her afresh, Although Mousey made a most desperate dash; And again Mousey pleaded, "Oh, please let me go"; But Tom only answered, "Decidedly No!"

But as luck should now have it, our Ponto came in, And asked Mr. Puss, "What's this horrible din?" Says Puss to our Ponto, "I've caught this sly thief, And now I intend to bring her to grief."

Says Ponto to Puss, "The mouse is my friend, And if you would hurt her, why I must defend That nice little, kind little, good little mouse, As long as she ever remains in this house."

Says Pussy to Ponto, "I pray you don't fret; I'll love and I'll cherish your poor little pet; She shall sleep on the mat, and we'll find her in food, Because she is nice and because she is good."

So the nice little mouse, the dog and the cat, all three ate together, and slept on the mat; They sung, danc'd and romp'd with joy and merry laughter, And as the old take says, "Lived happy ever after."

[Page 154--Pussy Land]

[Illustration: Startled Cat.]

History of Mr. Tom Puss And The Rats

Mrs. Puss stayed at home, minded and played with young Master John Puss, Miss Mary Puss, and Baby Puss, while Mr. Puss went out to get them something to eat. He went into a barn, tied a piece of cheese to the tip of his tail, and put it through a hole in a door, thinking that he would catch a rat that way. Some very knowing rats on the other side of the door got a piece of string, tied it to his tail, pulled all together, and made Mr. Puss me-ow very loud, and he found that instead of his catching a rat, the rats had caught him. Mrs. Puss, finding that Mr. Puss did not come home, put little John Puss and Mary Puss to bed without any supper, and then sang little deaf Baby Puss off to sleep by means of the ear trumpet. The rats ate their supper off Mr. Puss's tail, and then let him go. You see what a fine long tail he had when he put it through the hole to catch rats in that foolish manner; and look at his short tail now, in the corner of the page.

Wasn't He A Foolish Puss!!!

[Illustration: Kitten Using Ear-Trumpet to Listen to Adult cat.]

[Illustration: Rare Fun. Mice have trapped cat's tail.]

[Illustration: Kittens Dancing to Violin Played by Cat.]

[Page 155--More Pussy Land]

Puss In Boots