CHAPTER VIII 



BEGINNING OF THE BIRD STORIES 



When the day came for beginning the bird stories, 

 warm spring showers were 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 Avas no fire on the hearth ; 

 through the open window floated bits of bird-song and 

 the fraofrance of the lilacs — for there Avere 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 Avhite lilacs AA^ere A^eritable music boxes, 

 for almost every one held a Catbird's nest. 



"What bird do you think Uncle Roy AA-ill tell us 

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

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

 Avas reading letters AAdiich Olive had brought in. 



" I Avish he would begin Avitli that lovely fat bird, 

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

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

 sings." 



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

 " they gabble and squawk and swim in the Avater, but 

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

 heavy." 



