176 CITIZEN BIRD 



then they were divided between hunger and the wish 

 to tell about their birds. 



" I have two nice birds all written down," said Dodo, 

 between mouthfuls. " One was rather little and sort 

 of green on top and white underneath, and he kept 

 going up and down all the branches of an oak tree as if 

 he couldn't keep still a moment, and he talked all the 

 while as if he was asking me why I watched him and 

 then scolding me for doing it." 



" That is the Red-eyed Vireo," said the Doctor. 



'' Maybe he did have red eyes," said Dodo, " but he 

 moved so quick I couldn't see them. But my other 

 bird was splendid ! Very bright red all over, except 

 his wings and tail — they were black, and I'm sure he 

 has a nest high up on an oak branch." 



'' That is the Scarlet Tanager. What did you see, 

 Nat ? " 



" I crept in among the cedar trees, and there was a 

 whole lot of rather big gray birds sitting in a row on 

 a branch ; they had black around their beaks and their 

 head feathers stuck up in front. They didn't seem to 

 be building nests, but were only whispering to each 

 other." 



"Those were Cedar Waxwings." 



" Then," continued Nat, " when I was coming back I 

 saw a flock of the prettiest, jolliest little birds flying 

 round the old grass, and hanging on to some stalks of 

 weeds. Tliey were mostly yellow with some black, and 

 they sang something like Canaries, and when they flew 

 they sort of jerked along." 



"Those were American Goldfinches. And now for 

 yours, Rap." 



