The Bird and Insects' Post Office

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Robert Bloomfield. The Bird and Insects' Post Office

PREFACE

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

LETTER I. FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW

LETTER II. THE SPARROW'S REPLY

LETTER III. FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER

LETTER IV. FROM A YOUNG NIGHTINGALE TO A WREN

LETTER V. FROM AN EARWIG, DEPLORING THE LOSS OF ALL HER CHILDREN

LETTER VI. FROM THE WILD DUCK TO THE TAME DUCK

LETTER VII. THE TAME DUCK'S REPLY

LETTER VIII. FROM THE GANDER TO THE TURKEY-COCK

LETTER IX. FROM THE DUNGHILL-COCK TO THE CHAFFINCH

LETTER X. FROM THE BLUE-BOTTLE FLY TO THE GRASSHOPPER

LETTER XI. FROM THE GLOW-WORM TO THE HUMBLE-BEE

LETTER XII. FROM THE PIGEON TO THE PARTRIDGE

LETTER XIII. FROM THE WOOD-PIGEON TO THE OWL

LETTER XIV. THE OWL IN REPLY TO THE WOOD-PIGEON

LETTER XV. FROM A SWALLOW IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE TO AN ENGLISH ROBIN

LETTER XVI. ON HEARING THE CUCKOO AT MIDNIGHT, MAY 1st. 1822

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In the following pages I have endeavoured to make my winged and creeping correspondents talk in their own characters, according to their well-known habits and pursuits.

I have added a few notes, sometimes of illustration, and sometimes of inquiry; for, as natural history is almost a boundless field, I may stand in need of correction myself. It will be obvious that I have taken only some of the plainest and simplest subjects, for the purpose of trying whether any interest can be awakened in young minds by such means. And as I like to write for children, and think a great deal of information might be blended with amusement in this way, I hold myself acquitted of the charge of trifling and puerility, and am the young reader's friend and well-wisher,

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I have added a few notes, sometimes of illustration, and sometimes of inquiry; for, as natural history is almost a boundless field, I may stand in need of correction myself. It will be obvious that I have taken only some of the plainest and simplest subjects, for the purpose of trying whether any interest can be awakened in young minds by such means. And as I like to write for children, and think a great deal of information might be blended with amusement in this way, I hold myself acquitted of the charge of trifling and puerility, and am the young reader's friend and well-wisher,

I earnestly advise you to change your manner of life and take a little free air, as I do. Stop no longer in your dull yard, feeding upon pigs' leavings, but come abroad with me. But I must have done till a better opportunity; for the gamekeeper with his gun has just turned the corner. Take my advice, and you may be as well off, and learn to sing as well as I do.

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