BIRD STORIES 



Somehow it was very pleasant to know that they were 

 near together through the starhght — the five of them 

 who had wandered forth alone by sunlight. 



But not for long was the snug little Nearby Island to 

 serve for a night camp. Mother Piper had other plans. 

 Like the wise person she was, she let her children find 

 out many things for themselves, though she kept in 

 touch with them from time to time during the day, to 

 satisfy herself that they were safe. And at night she 

 found that they were willing enough to mind what they 

 were told to do, never seeming to bother their heads over 

 the fact that every now and then she led them to a 

 strange camp-ground. 



So they did not seem surprised or troubled when, one 

 night soon. Mother Piper, instead of calling them to 

 Nearby Island, as had been her wont, rested patiently in 

 plain sight on a stump near the shore and, with never a 

 word, waited for the sunset hour to reach the time of 

 dusk. Then she flew to the log where Peter Piper had 

 been teetering up and down, and what she said to him I 

 do not know. But a minute later, back she flew, this 

 time rather high overhead, and swooped down toward 

 the little ones with a quick ^^Pete-weet.^' After her 

 came Peter Piper flying, also rather high overhead, and 

 swooping down tow^ard his young. Then Mother and 

 Peter Piper went in low, slow flight to Faraway Island. 



88 



