10 CITIZEN BIRD 



bird is, and why it lias feathers and can fly, instead of 

 laughing," said Dodo in a shaky voice ; for her feel- 

 ings were very tender and she remembered too late 

 what minerals are. 



" Yes, tell her, Nat," said Olive, who came through 

 the hall just then. "Are you holding your knowledge 

 tight in your pockets, or whistling to keep from telling 

 it?" 



Nat scowled a minute and then said frankly, for 

 every one was frank with Olive, " I really don't know 

 Avhat sort of an animal a bird is, though I'm sure it is 

 an animal. Don't you think Uncle Roy will tell us?" 



" I'm sure he will be glad to, if he is not very busy, 

 and he is seldom too busy to talk of birds. He is 

 writing a book now of all the things he knows about 

 them. Knock on the door. Dodo." 



" Vm afraid to," said Dodo, clasping her hands behind 

 her. " Mammy says that room is full of birds, and 

 that we must never go in there. Suppose when the 

 door opens they should get out and fly away? " 



" Mammy was right in telling you not to go in with- 

 out asking, because there are a great many books and 

 papers there that father values, and you might upset 

 them. But the birds that are tliere are not alive. 

 They are dead birds that father has collected from all 

 parts of America — stuffed birds, such as you have 

 seen in the glass cases in tlie Museum." 



" But, Cousin Olive," said Nat in astonisliment, " if 

 Uncle Roy has shot enough birds to fill a big room, 

 why won't he let me pop at a few with my sliooter ? " 



" You must ask him why yourself, Nat. Knock 

 again, Dodo. Father, may we come in ? The children 



