A. E. Green
(Aged 12.)
Hainault Lodge, near Chigwell.
AN INGENIOUS RAT.
DEAR Mr. Editor,— A London carpenter whom I know for a long time constantly found the oil-bottle attached to his lathe emptied of its contents. Various plans were devised to find out the thief, but they all failed. At last the man determined to watch. Through a hole in the door he peeped for some time. By-and-by he heard a gentle noise; something was creeping up the framework of the lathe. It was a fine rat. Planting itself on the edge of the lathe, the ingenious creature popped its tail inside of the bottle, then drew it out and licked off the oil. This it continued to do until nearly every drop of oil was taken from the bottle.
Edwin Rippin.
(Aged 14.)
Osbournby, Lincolnshire.
A CANARY PLAYING HIDE-AND-SEEK.
DEAR Mr. Editor,— One day a few months ago we had let one of our canaries out of his cage, and forgetting that he was out we left open the door of the room where he was. When we remembered the bird we were much afraid lest he should have flown out of the room. We hunted high and low, calling his name, "Carmen," to which he often answers with a chirp. At last I happened to push aside a little low stool, and there, crouching down so as not to be found (as he dislikes being put into his cage) was Carmen. He has tried since then to hide; but we know his tricks, so he is unsuccessful.
Constance Barkworth
(Aged 13¼.)
3, Ilchester Gardens, Bayswater.