The Burgess Bird Book for Children

that tree trunk with rubbish. "I should think they had enough stuff in there for half a dozen nests," muttered Peter. "I do believe they are carrying it in for the fun o

was between the roots of an old apple-tree in the far corner of the Old Orchard. Peter was still thinking of the Sparrow family

long time, so you ought to be able to tell me something I want to know. Why is it that none of the Sparrow family except

he, "whatever is the matter with your ears?

r shortly. "They are as good a

He knew that voice for that of one of his oldest and best friends in the Old Orchard, a little fellow with a red-brown cap, brown back with feathers streaked with black, brownish wings and tail, a gray waistc

und Chippy here in the Old Orchard ever since I can remember. I never have seen his nest because I

very old apple-tree. There is no trash in their nest, I can tell you! It is just as dainty as they are, and not a

nded as it he suspected that Joh

. "Goodness knows where they find it these days, but

re on a branch right over Peter and Johnny. "Hello!" cried Peter. "Y

. We are on our way up to Farmer Brown's barnyard now to lo

saw it. He often had found hair from the coats of Reddy Fox and Old Man Coyote and Digger the

epared to fly after Mrs. Chippy. "It is long hair form the tail or mane of a

und what they wanted, and Mrs. Chippy was in high spirits because, as she took pains to explain to Peter, that little n

their two little feathered friends putting the finishing touches

te Bully and his wife. Did you know that they are sometimes called Tree Sp

shouldn't be called Tree Sparrow, be

he doubted that, "I never

lks something they don't know. "You'd know him if you didn't sleep all winter," said Peter. "Dotty the Tree Sparrow

him Dotty?" ask

rrow; he doesn't spend his time in the trees the way Chippy does, but I see him much oftener in low bushes or on the ground. I think

Chippy being called a Tree Sparrow and a Tree Sparrow cal

That's a pretty good arrangement, especially as they look very much alike, excepting that Dotty is quite a little bigger than Chippy and alwa

ttle brown bird, and as he spread his tail Peter saw two white feathers on the outer edges. Those two white feathers were all Peter needed to recognize

Old Briar-patch and s

y grass. "Can't," mumbled Sweetvoice. "Can't do it now, Peter Rabbit. I'm too busy. It is high time our nest

t; in a tree?" ask

excepting Mrs. Sweetvoice and myself. This much I will tell you, Peter: it isn't i

AT?" cri

the nicest kind of a place for a nest. I think we have picked out the very best one on all the Green Meadows. Now run along, Peter Rabbit, and don't bother me any more. I've got too much to do to sit

to hear you. I think that is the best time of all the day in which to sing. I mean, I th

bramble-bush over Peter's head, sang over and over again the sweetest little song and kept on singing even after it was quite d