THIS bird, which is chiefly found in Guiana, along the banks of the Orinoco, in the inland provinces of Chili and Brazil, and on the vast forests that border the mouth of the River Plata, is second only to the ostrich in magnitude, and is the largest bird of the American continent. Buffon is of opinion that it ought not to be classed with the ostrich tribe. It is usually about six feet high, from its head to the ground. The neck is long, the body round, and the wings short, and entirely unfit for flying. Its legs are three feet long, and it differs from the ostrich in having an additional toe on each foot. It has no tail, but is covered from the back with long feathers, which fall backward and cover the rump. It moves very swiftly, but in its course it uses a odd kind of action, lifting up one wing, which it keeps elevated for a time, till letting it drop, it raises the other. In this motion it seems to be assisted by a kind of tubercle behind, like a heel, upon which, on plain ground, it treads very securely. The fleetest hounds are frequently thrown out in

pursuing it and we are told of one, which on being surrounded by the hunters, darted amongst the dogs with such irresistible fury, that they immediately gave way, and thus permitted it to escape in safety. During incubation, the Touyou is said to make a false nest, at some distance from the true one, in which two eggs are laid. These eggs the old one breaks, and by thus attracting a number of flies, and beetles, procures the means of sustenance for the young. When first hatched, the young are so familiar that they will follow strangers; but as they grow older, they become cunning and distrustful. The flesh, especially before it is hardened by age, is good to be

eaten.

AN INDUSTRIOUS LAD.

A GENTLEMAN has furnished us with the following interesting narrative, which is one of those real struggles of the young, to assist their parents, which sparkle like diamonds along the pathway of human life.

"Business called me to the United States Land Office; while there, awaiting the completion of my business, a lad apparently about sixteen or seventeen years old came in, and presented to the receiver a certificate of purchase for forty acres of land. I was struck with the countenance and general appearance of the lad, and inquired of him for whom he was purchasing the land; the reply was, 'For myself, sir.' I then inquired where he got the money; he answered, I earned it by my labour.' 'Then,' said I, 'you richly deserve the land.' I then inquired, Where did you come from?' 'New York,' said he. Feeling an increased desire to know something more of this lad, I asked him whether he had parents, and where they lived; on this question he took a seat, and gave me the following narrative.

AN INDUSTRIOUS LAD.

'I am from New York State-have there living a father, mother, and five brothers, and sisters. I am the oldest child. Father is a drinking man, and often would return from his day's work drunk, and not a cent in his pocket to buy food for the family, having spent all his day's earnings in liquor with his drinking companions; the family had to depend chiefly on mother and myself for bread; this distressed mother much, and had a powerful effect on my feelings. -Finding that father would not abstain from liquor, I resolved to make an effort in some way to relieve mother, and sisters and brothers from want. After revolving things over in my mind, and consulting with mother, I got all the information I could about the far West, and started for Wisconsin with three dollars in my pocket. I left home on foot. After spending my three dollars, I worked occasionally a day, and renewed my travels so long as my money lasted. By labour occasionally, and the charitable treatment I got on the road, I arrived in Wisconsin. Here I got an axe, set to work and cleared land by the job-earned money, saved it, till I gathered fifty dollars, which money I now pay for the forty acres of land.'

'Well, my good lad, (for by this time I became much interested in his story) what are you going to do with this land?' Why, sir, I will continue to work and earn money, and, when I have spare time, prepare some of my land for culture, raise myself a log house, and when prepared, will write father and mother, brothers and sisters, to come to Wisconsin and enjoy this home. This land now bought by me I design for my mother, which will secure her from want in her declining years.' 'What,' said I, 'will you do with your father if he continues to drink ardent spirits to excess ?' 'Oh, sir, when we get him on the farm he will feel at home, will work at home, will keep no liquor in the house, and in a short time

he will be a sober man.' I then replied, 'Young man, these being your principles so young, I recommend you to improve on them, and the blessing of God will attend you. I shall not be surprised to hear of your advancement to the highest post of honour in the State; with such principles as you have, you are deserving of the noblest commendation.'

By this time the receiver handed him his duplicate receipt for his forty acres of land. Rising from his seat on leaving the office, he said, 'At last I have a home for my mother!'" American Paper.

AN ANSWER ABOUT THE PROPHET.

BY BELLA, AN ORIYA GIRL IN THE CUTTACK ASYLUM. [In the month of February, 1848, R. F. of Thorverton, sent an enigmatical query which was inserted in Winks's Children's Penny Magazine, page 62, and some poetic replies, appeared written by English boys and girls, at page 128. It now appears that when the magazine arrived in India (for it seems that it goes now into most parts of the world,) it was copied into another magazine in Orissa, in which it was seen by a Khund girl in the Asylum School of the General Baptist Missionaries. These poor Khund girls are mostly orphans, who would have been offered in sacrifice. What a pleasing change to find them thus employed, and contesting for a prize with English boys and girls. She deserves one, and she shall have one. Mrs. Sutton, wife of Rev. Amos Sutton, late missionary in India, but now in Leicester, has sent us these verses. Mrs. S. says: "The above was forwarded to me in Oriya verse by a Khund girl in the Cuttack Asylum. I was requested to forward to you a translation. I have not seen the original which was taken from one of your publications and printed in an Oriya periodical. How far the girl is correct you will judge. She is a member of the Cuttack church."] GOD was ere Adam and his numerous race were made; Ere Adam was the beasts and birds too their existence had: From these considerations I most certainly infer

That God himself it was who made the prophet's ancestor.

YOUTHFUL LOVELINESS OF THE SAVIOUR.

He is not a resident of Ganjam* town alone;

In every village, in all lands, he is to all men known.
In night's sweet calm repose while sleep rests on our eyes,
The prophet in the early dawn to all so loudly cries,
"Up, up, arise, the early day is swiftly drawing on,
The night is past away, I see approach the dawn."
He neither ashes or sackcloth for clothing then puts on-
He dresses neither as a Jew or as a Mussalman.
His dress adjusted straightway when he rears his crest-
But he was never suckled at his mother's breast.
His ancestors as prophets he does not regard.
Not white or grey, but reddish colour is his beard.
He heeds not weather, be it rainy, cold, or shine.
He recks not works of holiness, or mysteries divine.
To all his children good advice, and suitable he gives;
But of the wealth of others he asks not or receives.
To Peter the Apostle he warning did afford,

When he with imprecations false did so deny his Lord.
Peter before had said he would with his lov'd Master die,
And Christ then told him plainly he would soon his name
deny-

"Nay, Simon, you will not do this, but soon be put to shame, And e'er the cock crow thrice you will, alas! deny my name."

And so it was, before the cock to Peter thrice had cried, Peter his Lord and Master's name the three times had

denied.

The Lord to judgment soon will come and call all to his bar, Then may we all like Peter in his pardoning mercy share.

YOUTHFUL LOVELINESS OF THE
SAVIOUR.

"When he was twelve years old.”—Luke ii. 42.

THE youth of both sexes, it may be, think as much of birthdays, when about twelve years of age, or just as they are entering their teens, as at any time. At this age they are also capable of understanding the appeals which are made to them; and birthdays should

* A place famous for a fine breed of fowls.