CHAPTER IV 

 THE BUILDING OF A BIRD 



It rained on Wednesday — a warm spring rain, swell- 

 ing the rivers and ponds, and watering the newly 

 planted garden ; but discouraging the birds in their 

 nest-building, and disappointing Nat and Dodo, who 

 wished to have their lesson in the orchard. 



" Come in here, children," said the Doctor. '' The 

 wonder room, as Dodo calls it, is a good place for a 

 talk about feathers and bones, and the rest of the 

 things birds are built of. I have sent for Rap, too, so 

 that the trio may be complete." 



" Feathers and bones for building birds ? " said Nat. 

 " What a queer idea for a bird story." 



"Not a bird story exactly," answered the Doctor. 

 " But some things are true of all birds, and you must 

 know them if 3'ou wish to understand the reason ivhy 

 of any bird in particular." 



In a few minutes the three children were seated on 

 the wide settle, Avith a cheery log fire, to make them 

 forget the outside dampness. Quick, the fidgety little 

 fox-terrier, sat by the hearth, watching a possible 

 mouse hole ; and Mr. Wolf, the tawny St. Bernard, 

 chose the rug as a comfortable place for finishing his 

 morning toilet. 



Olive presently joined the group. The Doctor took 



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