summit, would only reflect the leaves, and consequently neither the
nest nor the knife; and the other thing which you do not observe, is
this, that the magpies, by an admirable instinct, which God has given
them, build their nests, not like a basin, as you supposed, but in
the form of a ball; so that the nest is covered with a vaulted roof,
formed of sticks closely interwoven, which shelters the bird and its
brood from bad weather, and above all, from the cruel claw of the
kite or hawk."

"I am much obliged to you, dear papa," said William. "What a pity,"
he added, with a sigh; "for my plan would otherwise have been
infallible."

"Let us seek a better one," said their father. "Mary, go and see if
you have not left your knife in the fruit-room. Perhaps it was
yesterday, that you peeled the apple for Sophy."

"I will do so," said Mary, and she went into the house for the key
of the fruit-room.

She soon returned, exclaiming, "The key is not in its place, and I
put it there this morning."

"Miss Mary is mistaken," said Elizabeth, coming out of the kitchen;
"I see the key in the door."

"Papa," said Mary, "I recollect, when I put the key in the cupboard,
this very morning, Sophy looked at it, and said, 'It is certainly the
prettiest key on the bunch.'"