The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



dressed all in black and 'white. On the back of 

 his head was a little scarlet patch. He was mak- 

 ing a tremendous racket for such a little chap, 

 only a little bigger than one of the Sparrow family. 



"Is he making a hole for a nest up there ? " asked 

 Peter eagerly. 



" Gracious, Peter, what a question ! What a 

 perfectly silly question!" exclaimed Jenny Wren 

 scornfully. "Do give us birds credit for a little 

 common sense. If he were cutting a hole for a 

 nest, everybody within hearing would know just 

 where to look for it. Downy has too much sense 

 in that little head of his to do such a silly thing 

 as that. When he cuts a hole for a nest he doesn't 

 make any more noise than is absolutely necessary. 

 You don't see any chips flying, do you?" 



"No-o," replied Peter slowly. "Now you speak 

 of it, I don't. Is is he hunting for worms in 

 the wood?" 



Jenny laughed right out. "Hardly, Peter, 

 hardly," said she. "He's just drumming, that's 

 all. That hollow limb makes the best kind of a 

 drum and Downy is making the most of it. Just 

 listen to that! There isn't a better drummer 

 anywhere." 



But Peter wasn't satisfied. Finally he ventured 

 another question. "What's he doing it for?" 



"Good land, Peter!" cried Jenny. "What do 

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