The Kalke
protect- NORWEGIAN AMUSEMENTS-HANGING UP THE SHEAF OF CORN. ing themselves from the cold winds and heavy, for the upper part is larger than the biting frosts. Not only at Christmas the lower, and at every side extends time, but throughout the winter the peo- out some distance over the lower part. ple furnish food for the birds.
This is their method of constructing buildings in Norway. You see the roof read of these as having been used by is covered with snow, and all surround- people in Canada, and by the Indians who ing objects give certain signs of winter. formerly inhabited America, but it seems There is a group of happy-looking people that in Norway and Sweden, snow-shoes around this building, and one old man are in common use as much for travelling has a sheaf of wheat fastened to a pole, as for amusement. and this he is placing in its position in There must be a great deal of fun conorder that the birds may have their nected with this method of coasting. A Christmas dinner as well as the children look at the engraving will show you how and the older folks. It is a beautiful cus- the shoes are made. You see they are tom and speaks well for the character of long and narrow, and turn up at each end. the Norwegians; they are not only happy The man fastens them to his feet, takes a themselves in their domestic enjoyment long balancing pole, finds a steep hill and the plenty which appears at the which is crusted with snow and ice, and Christmas time, but they remember the starting from the top down he goes with birds which have no means of providing a whiz. There is often a strife as to who for themselves. The little creatures that will get to the bottom of the hill first. otherwise would perish find their friends, Probably there is not so much eagerness -and seem to appreciate the kindness they receivę.
Let Birds have their Christmas.
To love domestic animals, care for them, make pets of them, is a happy trait, and this is to be found in almost every nation of the globe. Specially fond are many persons of birds, and while it seems greatly to deprive them of their liberty to put them in cages, yet the little ones are to climb to the top; that is harder work.
Then, too, the skaters sometimes get into a crowd, one tripping up another, and thus affording great amusement.
Account of Skid-Racing.
A writer on Scandinavian customs describes this fine sport as follows: Look! How fast those strong and healthy young men slide down the snowclad hillside, on their long snow-shoes, generally well treated, have all their wants using a long staff as their steering apparasupplied, and, judging by the merry songs which they sing, they seem to be quite as joyous as any that skip from branch to branch or fly away in the air. This beautus. They are Swedish students of Upsala, and the hill is the steep Castle Hill near that city. The sport of racing on showshoes is called by the Swedes, skid-racing tiful Norwegian scene shows the thought- the snow-shoes being called "skid" in the fulness of the people, for they do not consider Christmas festivities complete without caring for the homeless birds. Swedish language. They are made of wood, from two to three yards long, two to three inches wide, from one and onehalf to two inches thick, and curved in front like the runners of a sleigh.
Speaking of the winter season in Norway, my young readers will be interested to have a description of the snow-shoes To the outfit of a skid-runner are furtherwhich are commonly used, and the more indispensable high boots or stockmethod of travelling over the snow. In ings, a fur cap which can be drawn over our own country the boys and girls know the ears, warm mittens, as the winter is all about coasting and skating, but they terribly cold in the high north, and the are unaccustomed to snow-shoes. We skid-staff already mentioned.