The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



Finally Peter decided it would be safe to peek 

 outside. Very carefully he poked his head out. 

 Just as he did so, a little chip struck him right on 

 the nose. Peter pulled his head back hurriedly 

 and stared at the little chip which lay just in front 

 of the hole. Then two or three more little chips 

 fell. Peter knew that they must come from up 

 in the Big Hickory -tree, and right away his curi- 

 osity was aroused. Redwing was singing so hap- 

 pily that Peter felt sure no danger was near, so 

 he hopped outside and looked up to find out where 

 those little chips had come from. Just a few 

 feet above his head he saw a round hole in the 

 trunk of the Big Hickory-tree. While he was look- 

 ing at it, a head with a long stout bill was thrust 

 out and in that bill were two or three little chips. 

 Peter's heart gave a little jump of glad surprise. 



"Yellow Wing!" he cried. "My goodness, how 

 you startled me!" 



The chips were dropped and the head was ftlrust 

 farther out. The sides and throat were a soft 

 reddish-tan and on each side at the beginning of the 

 bill was a black patch. The top of the head was 

 gray and just at the back was a little band of bright 

 red. There was no mistaking that head. It be- 

 longed to Yellow Wing the Flicker beyond a doubt. 



"Hello, Peter!" exclaimed Yellow Wing, his 

 eyes twinkling. "What are you doing here?" 



