CHAPTER VIII 



BEGINNING OF THE BIRD STORIES 



When the day came for beginning the bird stories, 

 warm spring showers w^ere drenching the orchard, so 

 that apple blossoms and raindrops fell to the ground to- 

 gether when the children gathered in the Avonder room 

 once more. This time there was no fire on the hearth ; 

 through the open window floated bits of bird-song and 

 the fragrance of the lilacs — for there were lilac bushes 

 all about Orchard Farm, close to the house, by the 

 gate posts, and in a long hedge that ran down one side 

 of the garden to the orchard itself. These tall bushes 

 of purple and white lilacs were veritable music boxes, 

 for almost every one held a Catbird's nest. 



'' What bird do you think Uncle Roy will tell us 

 about first ? " said Nat to Rap, as they walked about the 

 room, looking at the birds in the cases, while the Doctor 

 was reading letters which Olive had brought in. 



'' I wish he would begin with that lovely fat bird, 

 with all the red and green and blue feathers," said 

 Dodo, pointing to a Wood Duck. " I wonder if it 

 sings." 



" No, that's a Duck and they don't sing," said Rap ; 

 " they gabble and squawk and swim in tlie water, but 

 they can fly as quick as Swallows, for all they look so 

 heavy." 



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