108 



CITIZEN BIRD 



skimming close to the water, which sang a little song 

 to itself as it ran along. 



" What do you think those birds are doing, Rap," 

 said Nat ; '^ looking at themselves in the water or play- 

 ing tag ? " 



" They are Barn Swallows, who catch flies and little 

 gnats and things close down over the water. Hear 



them talking and laugh- 

 ing ! " But the Swal- 

 lows really seemed to be 

 playing some 

 ''-*^- ' sort of game 

 as they cir- 

 cled about, every 

 now and then 

 turning sharply 

 '^^__ and giving lit- 

 tle rippling 

 cries. 

 The Doctor halted 

 under a beech tree 

 that spread its branches 

 over a great mossy circle, 

 seating himself on an old 

 log that had been washed 

 down the river and lay on the ground. For a minute 

 the Veeries were silent; then from the tree over his 

 head one sang a short tune — two sentences in a high 

 key, then two a little lower and softer, like an echo. 



" It is different from any other bird-song," said Olive, 

 " and ever}' spring when it comes it seems as lovely as 

 the first time I heard it." 



Vekry. 



