124 CITIZEN BIRD 



all the time calling '^ chickadee-dee-dee " as if they 

 were repeating a joke among themselves. 



" They mean we shall know their name, anyway," 

 said Nat. "Have they any other song?" 



'' Oh, yes, some nice little whistle-tunes like this — 

 ' whee-ewee, whee-ewee,' " said Rap, "and if you whistle 

 back they'll answer. I've done it lots of times." 



"Try now — do, Rap, and see if they will answer," 

 begged Dodo. 



" It's too open out here, but I will go back of the 

 trees and perhaps they will answer. I heard one whis- 

 tling in there a minute ago." 



The children listened, and presently "whee-ewee, 

 wh^e-ewee," came two high notes from among the trees. 

 They were answered by two others, very musical, but a 

 little bit sad. So the duet went on, boy and bird, until 

 Dodo and Nat lost count and could not tell which was 

 which. Then the music stopped and Rap returned 

 laughing, saying that when the Chickadee found out 

 it was not another bird that he was calling to, he was 

 vexed and flew away. 



" Some Chickadees lived around our house all last 

 winter," continued Rap, "and used to eat out of the 

 chickens' dish. I watched them every day but one 

 that was terribly windy, and then they stayed under 

 the miller's cow-shed. Even strong winter birds don't 

 like the wind much — do they. Doctor? " 



" No, my lad, wind is one of the greatest enemies 

 that a bird has. A hardy bird who has plenty to eat 

 can endure bitter cold, but wdien the food-supply is 

 scanty, as it often is in winter, and the trees are cov- 

 ered with snow and ice, life is a battle with the Bird 



