Chickadee-dee and his friends

Preface

Frank M. Chapman urges, "If you would reap the purest pleasures of youth, manhood, and old age, go to the birds and through them be brought within the ennobling influences of Nature. Go yourself to the field and learn that birds do not exist solely in books, but are concrete, sentient beings, whose acquaintance may bring you more unalloyed happiness than the wealth of the Indies."

These little stories have been written with the hope that they may cause many children to make the acquaintance of the birds of the orchard and meadow, and to feel a very friendly interest in them.

The author is greatly indebted to many standard authorities on bird-life. Thanks are due to John Martin's Book, a magazine for little children, for kind permission to reprint two of these stories, and to other periodicals for similar courtesy.

L. W. S.

Vll

Contents

PAGE

I. Chickadee-dee and His Chum ... i

II. Chickadee-dee and Wicked Mr. Shrike 5

II

CHICKADEE-DEE AND WICKED MR. SHRIKE

"\ T THERE are you going, Chickadee-

\ /\ / dee?" asked his mother one after- V T noon as Chickadee-dee was starting off.

^^Over to Nutty Nuthatch's, mother. I promised I'd be over early."

Mrs. Chickadee shook her head. ^'I think you'd better fly around here instead to-day, dear. I don't like to have you go so far."

"Don't try to coop that bird up in the tree," instructed Mr. Chickadee. "He'll never be good for much if you do."

"But you know who's been prowling round here. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to Chickadee-dee," said Mrs. Chickadee, who was a little nervous.

"Pooh, that Perkins Cat!" scoffed Mr. Chickadee who, although afraid of the cat himself, liked to tease his wife. ^'You worry all the time about that Perkins Cat. Chickadee-dee has got to learn to look out for himself."

'Well, go then, Chickadee-dee, but start home early," said his mother, and with anxious, loving eyes she watched him fly off.

Well might she worry about her small son. Other eyes not kind and loving were watching Chickadee-dee, as he bobbed merrily along across the Beautiful Meadow toward the old oak-tree where his chum lived.

The hawk-like eyes of wicked Mr. Shrike, who was perched high in the top of the tallest elm, noted him well.

Mr. Shrike was keeping very quiet that cold autumn day, and nobody knew he was about. Whenever his harsh voice was heard there was always fear and dismay among the feathered folk along the Creek.

Dreadful stories were told of wicked Mr. Shrike, who always came from his home in the North to spend the winter where it was warmer. Often he had been known to chase little bird children, Song Sparrows, Juncos, and little Tree

"The Hawk-like Eyes of Wicked Mr. Shrike Noted Chickadee-dee Well"

CHICKADEE-DEE AND MR. SHRIKE

Sparrows. And more than one he had caught and carried off.

Sometimes he would hide himself away so carefully and keep so quiet that no one would ever dream he was near.

Again he would perch in the top of the tallest elm, his favorite place. From that high point the wicked bird could look over the whole of the Beautiful Meadow, and plan his mischief.

Feared and hated by all, he roamed the fields, ever watching, watching carefully. Fie was large and always dressed in gray. His wings and tail were black, edged and tipped with white. His hooked bill gave him a cruel expression.

Chickadee-dee truly meant to mind his mother and start home early. But he and Nutty Nuthatch got very much excited romping all over the old oak-tree. They stood on their heads, turned somersaults, and did all the tricks they could think of. Old Mr. Woodpecker would have enjoyed watching them; but poor Mrs. Nuthatch was almost distracted with their noise.

At last they began a game of flying tag. But [7]

when they were in the midst of it Chickadee-dee, surprised to find it growing dusky, remembered his mother^s words and started for home.

As he hurried along he kept thinking about the Perkins Cat, and that didn't make him feel any braver. But it was not the Perkins Cat who was watching for him.

No one of the Chickadee family is a strong flyer. Chickadee-dee's mother had taught him not to attempt long flights in the open, but to go from one sheltering tree or bush to another.

As the little fellow hurried along he whistled a bit to keep up his courage; but, oh, how lonesome he felt!

When he heard a low twittering in some alder bushes he flew toward them, thinking his mother had come to meet him. But it was not his mother's sweet voice.

Out from the alder bushes sprang a dreadful form. Straight at Chickadee-dee it flew, its hawk-like eyes agleam.

Chickadee-dee gave one look, then turned. Oh, how he flew! Wicked Mr. Shrike, close |

after him.

CHICKADEE-DEE AND MR. SHRIKE

Faster and faster went Chickadee-dee — if he could only pass the fence and hide in the thick cedar-tree! But faster still flew Mr. Shrike.

Inch by inch he gained on the little fellow. Chickadee-dee heard the snap of his dreadful bill. He felt him reaching out to strike, when — the Perkins Cat, leaping from the fence, hit wicked Mr. Shrike, knocking him head over tail.

Chickadee-dee, half scared to death, rushed on. When at last he reached home he had hardly breath enough left to tell of his dreadful adventure.

"There, Mrs. Chickadee," said Mr. Chickadee. "Now, I hope you'll stop worrying about that Perkins Cat! After all there are worse things in the world than cats, and Chickadee-dee must learn to watch out."

In spite of his brave words Mrs. Chickadee noticed that little Chickadee-dee was not allowed to go out again alone, as long as wicked Mr. Shrike remained in the neighborhood.

Ill

CHICKADEE-DEE AND THE LANDLORD

THERE was great excitement along the Creek one morning when it became known that the Nuthatch family had been warned out of their home in the old oak-tree.

Mr. Nuthatch had been sick and was 'way behind on the rent. The landlord, Mr. Woodpecker, who had built the house himself, wouldn't stand it any longer.

When Chickadee-dee flew over to play with his chum. Nutty Nuthatch, he found the whole family in great trouble. ^'You birds fly along and play," they were told, but Nutty did not feel much like playing.

From across the Creek came a ringing sound, so Chickadee-dee flew off alone to see what it was.

When he reached the big Porter apple-tree he [II]

found old Mr. Woodpecker clinging to an upper dead branch hammering away with all his might.

Old Mr. Downy Woodpecker always dressed rather gaily. His black coat over his white vest was striped and barred with white. He always wore his tiny red cap on the back of his head.

"Hello, Chickadee-dee," he said, "it's a cold morning."

"Yes, Mr. Woodpecker," said little Chickadee-dee. "You're pretty busy, aren't you?"

"Busy, well, I've got to keep busy if I'm going to get this house done ready to shelter me these cold fall nights."

"Is it going to be a big house, Mr. Woodpecker?"

Now Mr. Woodpecker was a gruff old fellow who usually wouldn't stop to talk to any one. But he liked little Chickadee-dee and was pleased to have him seek his society.

"Well, not as big as my summer house. But I shall dig in deep so it will be nice and warm." And old Mr. Woodpecker drew back his head

CHICKADEE-DEE AND THE LANDLORD

and struck with all his force, sending his strong beak, which he used for a chisel, deep into the wood. He drilled away rapidly, striking out small chips. He was an expert carpenter and was forever building houses.

"Now when I've slept in this house all winter," he confided to Chickadee-dee, "I'll rent it in the spring and build another for myself. That Wren family will doubtless want it." Mr. Woodpecker had a good many tenements to rent along the Creek. "And if they shouldn't happen to care for it," he went on, "some of your folks or the Tree Swallow family will probably take it."

"My ! It must keep you busy making so many houses," said Chickadee-dee, thinking of the poor Nuthatch family without a house to their name, and wishing he could help them.

"Oh, yes. It takes about all my time looking after my houses and those rascally tenants that won't pay their rent or build for themselves. I have to neglect some of these tree trunks and branches. I don't have time to get all these harmful grubs and insects that are injuring them out from under the bark the way I'd like to."

Then little Chickadee-dee gave a hop of joy. ^'Oh, Mr. Woodpecker, couldn't I help you? I'm pretty good at getting insects out from under the bark. I'll come and work for you every morning, if you'll only let the Nuthatches stay in their house."

How old Mr. Woodpecker laughed! ^Well, well, Chickadee-dee, if you'll only put in an hour or so every day helping me clean up these apple-trees, I'll see what can be done for that Nuthatch family."

So all that winter Chickadee-dee worked about the Orchard with old Mr. Woodpecker, and the Nuthatches remained undisturbed in their home.

IV Where Chickadee-dee Spent The Night

CHICKADEE-DEE and his chum were on their way to spend the afternoon with Chickadee-dee's grandmother. It was a long way for them to go, but wicked Mr. Shrike had left the neighborhood. The Perkins Cat was staying in the house nursing a sore paw, so there seemed to be little danger.

Away to the upper end of the Creek they flew, and entered the thick woods at the foot of the hill.

When at last they reached the big pine-tree where Grandma Chickadee lived, they were much surprised to find that she was away from home.

It seems that poor Grandma Chickadee had been having a dreadful time. The Red Squirrels had come and camped not far from her house and had frightened her almost to pieces.

They were a wicked band bent on mischief. And, as the spring advanced, old lady Chickadee knew they would like nothing better than to destroy bird houses, eat up new eggs, and even steal and carry off tiny bird children. Just to hear their wild chattering had made her so nervous, that that very day she had left her home and gone to stay with a neighbor.

Of course Chickadee-dee did not know about this. He wondered what had become of his grandmother. He was much disappointed, and so was Nutty, not to find her.

Both of them were very hungry, as birds generally are. Chickadee-dee knew that his grandmother usually had some goodies tucked away somewhere for him.

Now Chickadee-dee and Nutty ought to have gone straight home, instead of staying and rummaging all over Grandma Chickadee's pine-tree house. But Nutty went creeping all around the trunk. Chickadee-dee went hopping over the branches, peeping into every corner, poking his little bill into every crack and crevice.

And sure enough, pretty soon Chickadee-dee [i6]

WHERE CHICKADEE-DEE SPENT NIGHT

found some nice little grubs that his grandmother had doubtless been saving for him, tucked away under the bark. Very quickly indeed he and Nutty ate them all up. Oh, how good they were !

Then the two started in to have a game of tag. They romped and frolicked all over the house. They stood on their heads and had such a wild time that they failed to notice that it was growing dark.

It was just as well that Grandma Chickadee was away. She never could have stood the racket.

At last a big snowflake hit Chickadee-dee on the end of his bill. "Oh, Nutty, it's going to storm! We'd better go home!" he cried.

Off they started; but in a few seconds the snowflakes came faster and thicker. "Whe — ew," came the North Wind, whistling through the pines.

Oh, how it blew! the squall coming suddenly, as it often does in early spring. It almost blew the feathers off little Chickadee-dee's back. It grew dark in the woods. He could scarcely see Nutty Nuthatch in front of him.

''Quank! Quank!" Nutty kept calling back encouragingly. But the North Wind was so fierce he could not fly against it.

It carried him and Chickadee-dee quite out of their course. It took them, bobbing and scurrying, on up the hill, farther and farther away from home. And many other little birds, and many small animals in fur coats as well, were caught and stranded by the storm.

At last a tremendous gust landed Chickadee-dee and Nutty among the branches of a big hemlock-tree that had a broken top. For a time they could only cling to the bark, quite exhausted. After a while Chickadee-dee hopped round to the other side of the tree. And there, under a branch, was a big hole.

^^Oh, Nutty, come on; here's shelter from the North Wind," cried Chickadee-dee. The two tired little birds crawled gratefully into the refuge, without a thought of any danger that might be within. Yes, into that unknown place they went, glad to escape from the stinging cold.

'Here's Shelter from the North Wind,' Cried Chickadee-dee"

Page iS

WHERE CHICKADEE-DEE SPENT NIGHT

It was very dark inside, and they could not tell what might be down in the bottom of the hole. They did not dare move about.

Nutty Nuthatch actually hung himself upside down on the wall, as was his habit. He and Chickadee-dee soon went sound asleep, quite unmindful of any peril.

But when the sun peeped in the next morning and woke up Chickadee-dee and his chum, something else was peeping in the door at them: two big eyes, a sharp nose, two red, furry ears! Yes, Mr. Red Squirrel himself, Captain of the dreadful band, gazed into his cave, gazed angrily at the intruders.

Chickadee-dee sprang up in terror. Nutty Nuthatch gave such a cry that Captain Squirrel, startled, fell back from the entrance. And the two darted out past him and flew for their lives.

So frightened were they that they did not stop till they were back in Grandma Chickadee's house.

When they told their story to the old lady, who had returned home, she gasped in horror. "Oh, Chickadee-dee, was it the big hemlock with the broken top? Then you birds must have spent the night right in the robbers' den. Dear me, dear me! If the storm had not kept them away till morning, who knows what would have become of you!"

CHICKADEE-DEE AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

FOR many days it had been cold and stormy. The wind howled along the Creek. The trees were loaded with snow and ice. Toward the last of December the drifts were high and the cold steadily increasing.

Old Mr. Woodpecker was glad he had finished his house in the Porter apple-tree. He stayed in it a good deal for shelter. It was hard for him to fly against the heavy wind.

Even little Chickadee-dee, warmly dressed in his gray suit and sweater, found it wearisome work to fly about in the storms. Yet fly he must, or starve and freeze.

It was no fun for him to try to cling to an icecovered twig and dig out a grub that was firmly frozen in, while the wind nearly blew off his little black cap.

The little fellow grew thin. Mrs. Chickadee, his mother, grew thin, so did old Mr. Woodpecker and the Nuthatch family. The fact was they could not get enough to eat.

Mrs. Chickadee, who was usually very cheerful, began to grow discouraged. She worried about Chickadee-dee and her other children.

One morning, when the snow was still falling, she heard a shrill twittering in the air. Soon a band of Juncos, that were traveling about, lighted near. They looked dark against the snow. They wore their slate-colored hoods pulled far down over their heads. Their little vests gleamed white beneath. Their tiny bills were light yellow, they kept moving restlessly about. Their leader hurried to Mrs. Chickadee.

^^Oh, pray," he begged, ''can you tell us if there are any seeds about here? We've had no breakfast and we are very, very hungry."

"I wish I could help you!" cried Mrs. Chickadee. ''Right over there by that fence there were a great many seeds. But I'm afraid you can't get them, the snow has covered them so."

*'Yes, I don't know when I've seen such drifts,

CHICKADEE-DEE AND CHRISTMAS TREE

or such cold Christmas weather," said the Junco leader who, as he spent much time in the north, was a good judge of drifts. "I really don't know what we are to do!"

Mrs. Chickadee felt very badly to think the visitors must go hungry on Christmas day. She called her son. '^Come, Chickadee-dee, fly around and see if you can't find some seed-stalks sticking up through the snow."

Away went Chickadee-dee through the storm. His eyes were bright but no seed-stalks could he spy.

At last he left the Orchard and ventured along the village street. From the church near by came the sound of music, voices singing sweet carols. The tiny bird, still hopeful, joined in with his cheery ^^dee-dee-dee."

Back into the garden of a big white house flew Chickadee-dee. But even there everything was banked high with snow. Something bright in the window of the house caught his eye. Made bold by hunger the little fellow actually lighted on the sill. Behind the glass hung a beautiful

Christmas wreath of evergreen, tied with bright ribbon and studded over with red berries.

How Chickadee-dee wished he could pick at those berries, perhaps they were good to eat. But who could get them there behind the pane? They were not for him. The hungry little bird turned away and bobbed around the corner of the house.

He lighted on a snowy bush and looked about. And there, quite near, was the oddest thing. ^*Why, what is this?" cried Chickadee-dee. He looked more carefully.

Fastened on a shelf just outside the south window of the big house was a little tree, a little pine-tree. It was not covered with snow like the other bushes, but there seemed to be something white on it. Chickadee-dee caught the gleam of red. Yes, there were bright berries fastened to it. Whatever could it be?

Chickadee-dee gave a cry and darted to the shelf.

"Oh, my! oh, my!" he cried. "IVe found a Christmas tree, a little Christmas tree, a real little Christmas tree!"

CHICKADEE-DEE AND CHRISTMAS TREE

And then he buried his bill in the soft white suet, that was tied, like a nice little Christmas parcel, to a branch of the tree, and ate and ate and ate. With each mouthful the little starving bird grew warmer and happier.

In a moment he stopped and uttering a "dee-dee-dee" of thanks started off. "I must tell the others," thought he, and home he flew as fast as he could go.

"Oh, mother," he called, "come quick! All the Juncos come, everybody come! Come and see the Christmas tree, I've found a Christmas tree!"

His little voice rang through the Meadow. He called to his chum. Nutty Nuthatch, to fly and tell old Mr. Woodpecker and Grandma Chickadee.

Proudly he led the way back to the big white house. "Now what do you think of that?" cried he as the party drew near the tree.

Every one began to twitter with excitement and delight, for they saw that the tree held presents for all. Tied to its branches were nice little meaty bones, that were oh, so good to peck at, pieces of nuts and white suet. On the shelf and on the snow beneath all kinds of seeds and crumbs were scattered.

Nobody waited for ceremony, there was plenty for all. Each took the present he liked best. The hungry Junco band began to pick up the seeds and crumbs with astonishing speed. Old Mr. Woodpecker, when he came, was greatly pleased with nice meaty bones.

What a merry party it w^as! The snow had ceased falling. Every bird, for the first time for many days, was having all he wanted to eat. From behind the curtains of the house children's smiling faces peeped out to watch the fun.

Nutty Nuthatch pecked away at the nuts and stood on his head with glee. Old Mr. Woodpecker declared that the good fat meat made him feel like a boy again. Chickadee-dee was perfectly delighted with a large seed, which he held in his little black toes and daintily picked out of its shell.

Each thankful little bird uttered soft trills and chirps of joy. To the happy children who had planned the tree their music seemed the sweetest of all the Christmas carols.

VI Chickadee-dee Finds A Valentine

YES, to-morrow will be Saint Valentine's day, Chickadee-dee," said old Mr. Woodpecker, as he clung to the trunk of the hickory-tree and worked rapidly to get at the grubs from under its bark. 'When I was young, I thought sending valentines was the greatest fun in the world."

"What are valentines, Mr. Woodpecker?" asked Chickadee-dee.

"There are different kinds, but I think hearts are best," said the old bird, laughing. "But be careful what little bird you send a valentine to."

Chickadee-dee knew just the one he'd like to to send it to. Of all the little birds in the woods he thought Miss Day-day-day was the nicest. She wore a fluffy gray feather suit like his own. Her little black cap and necktie were very becoming. She was the smartest of all the Chickadees.

Once she had come where Chickadee-dee was pecking at a frozen apple. He had at once flown away, leaving the treat for her. She had thanked him very prettily, uttering her little winter call of *'day-day-day.''

Yes, Chickadee-dee wanted to send her a valentine. '^I'U look about and see if I can find one," he thought. So he went hopping and flying among the trees, poking his little black bill into the crevices of the bark; but no valentine could he find.

He could not go to the store and buy one, because no bird in the Orchard kept a valentine store. All day long he searched vainly for something that would do to give Miss Day-day-day.

Saint Valentine's day dawned bright and clear. "Found a valentine for your sweetheart. Chickadee-dee?" asked old Mr. Woodpecker, as he flew through the Orchard.

"Not yet," owned Chickadee-dee. He asked every bird he met where he could find a valentine, but no one knew. Still he did not give up the search.

At last he flew over to the big white house, [28]

CHICKADEE-DEE FINDS A VALENTINE

where on a little shelf outside the window he often found something good to eat. Yes, here was a nice piece of suet, and what was that beside it?

^'I guess I've found it," cried Chickadee-dee. There back of the suet lay a pretty seed, a white sunflower seed with black stripes on it. It was the shape of a little heart.

Chickadee-dee knew it was good and sweet. How he wanted to eat it himself! But what could be nicer for a valentine? Chickadee-dee looked around and there near by in the lilac bush he spied little Miss Day-day-day.

Chickadee-dee seized the seed in his bill and flew toward her. As he passed the bush he dropped the seed at her feet.

Miss Day-day-day cocked her head and looked at it. Then she fluttered down, picked it up and returned to her perch. Carefully she shelled out the seed and ate the sweet white meat, every grain. Then she uttered a few soft notes of thanks.

Chickadee-dee hopped about in joy. "She liked her valentine!" he said to himself. "She must have liked it for she's eaten it all up!"

VII

MRS. BLUEBIRD CAN'T DECIDE

THE ice was still bordering the edges of the Creek, the wind was bleak and cold when a traveler reached the Beautiful Meadow.

His wings were a little weary, for he had come a long way; but he did not stop to rest. Straight to the old oak-tree he flew, and uttered a sweet warble of greeting.

At the sound Mrs. Nuthatch flew out of her house. '^Oh, Mr. Bluebird, is it really you? Back from the South at last?" she cried. ^'I am so glad to see you. We've all been watching for you. And is it true that Spring is coming?"

Mr. Bluebird's beautiful blue wings fluttered with joy, his breast shone cinnamon-red in the sun. "Yes, tru-al-ly, tru-al-ly," he sang, "Spring is almost here."

"I am so glad!" cried Mrs. Nuthatch. She [31]

knew that Mr. Bluebird was right, for he was always the first to bring the news of Spring's return. ''And is Mrs. Bluebird well?"

''Yes, and she will be here soon. I always come first, you know. Now I'll look around the Meadow a little."

When Mrs. Bluebird arrived, a little later, he was filled with joy. He warbled constantly. He wanted to show her everything at once.

He could hardly wait for Mrs. Nuthatch to tell her the news. But of course Mrs. Nuthatch had to tell how wicked Mr. Shrike would have caught Chickadee-dee if it had not been for the Perkins Cat, how cold the winter was, and all about the Christmas tree, and how bad her rheumatism had been. My, how fast she did talk!

"Come, come!" cried Mr. Bluebird at last. "Come, Mrs. Bluebird, you really must rest a while."

It was later in the season that Mr. Bluebird made his wonderful discovery. Fast as his beautiful blue wings could carry him, he flew to his little mate.

MRS. BLUEBIRD CANT DECIDE

^'Oh, dearest," he warbled, ^Tve found just the nicest place! Come and see if you don't think it would make a lovely little home." Swiftly he flew to the Orchard, Mrs. Bluebird following him.

^^Now here is a brand-new house," he said, as he lighted on a hollow limb of an apple-tree, which had a round hole in it. ^'Mr. Hairy Woodpecker made it last fall and it's for rent. What do you think of it, dear?"

Mrs. Bluebird was delighted. She did love to look at new houses. She hopped up and poked her head in at the little round door. She hopped in and looked about. Then she turned around, and hopped out again.

"Yes, it is a nice house, very nice," she said, "and it has a fine view of the Creek. But let's look at some others."

"Well then, see what you think of this one," said Mr. Bluebird, and led the way to an old hollow stump in the corner of the Beautiful Meadow. "Now don't you think this would be oretty comfortable?"

Mrs. Bluebird poked her head in at the door. [33]

She hopped in and looked about. Then she turned around, and hopped out again. ''Oh no, it won't do at all. It is very much out of repair," she decided.

"Just as you say, dear," agreed Mr. Bluebird. He knew she was a very particular person, and he was proud of it. ''Come, I'll show you another." So eager were the pair that they did not notice a little brown speckled bird, who was flitting about house hunting, too.

On the long fence at the edge of the Meadow there was a post with a nice round hole in it. "Take a look at this," urged Mr. Bluebird.

Mrs. Bluebird poked her head in at the door. She hopped in and looked about. Then she turned around, and suddenly hopped out again. "What was that note I heard?" she asked.

"Why, that was — that was "

The sound came again. "I thought so," said Mrs. Bluebird. "That is Mrs. English Sparrow's sharp voice. We can't live here. I can't have her for a neighbor; she is so quarrelsome."

"She isn't going to live here. No English Sparrows live in the Beautiful Meadow," Mr.

MRS. BLUEBIRD CAN'T DECIDE

Bluebird told her. But Mrs. Bluebird was flying swiftly away.

Poor Mr. Bluebird followed in great trouble. Where could he find a home to suit her? Out along the village street she flew, then into the garden of the big white house.

'Will you just look at this, Mr. Bluebird," she cried, as she lighted on a pear-tree. ''Here seems to be a very different kind of house."

It did look inviting, the little box that some one had fastened to the tree, about twelve feet from the ground.

Mrs. Bluebird looked in at the door. She hopped in and looked about. Then she turned around, and hopped out again.

"It's a very fine place," she said. "See, the door faces the south. There are no branches beneath for cats to climb up on. Some person who knows what birds like put up this house."

"Let's take it, dear," urged Mr. Bluebird. "We can more than pay the rent by catching the insects about here this summer."

"Let's not decide to-night. We'll sleep on it, and see how it looks in the morning," said Mrs.

[3Sl

Bluebird, who just loved to look at new houses.

But when she woke next morning Mrs. Bluebird thought at once of that nice new house in the pear-tree. She woke Mr. Bluebird. ''Oh, let's go right over and take that lovely house!"

''Yes, dear, we will," agreed Mr. Bluebird.

They stopped only a few minutes for breakfast, then off they flew to the pear-tree.

Mrs. Bluebird hopped to the little new house. "We'll take it," she said, and poked her head in at the door. The next second she pulled it back very quickly, for out of the door rushed an angry little brown speckled bird, Mrs. Jenny Wren, scolding and chattering at a fearful rate. "Take my house, will you? I guess not! I moved in at sunrise!" she screamed, and flew at Mrs. Bluebird and chased her into the plum-tree.