Some Unlike Relatives 



were busily walking about close to the feet of the 

 cows, where they seemed to be picking up food. 

 One had a brown head, neck and breast ; the rest 

 of his coat was glossy black. Peter rightly guessed 

 that this must be Mr. Cowbird. Seeing them on 

 such good terms with the cows he understood why 

 they are called Cowbirds. 



Sure that Sally Sly had left the Old Orchard, the 

 feathered folks settled down to their personal 

 affairs and household cares, Jenny Wren among 

 them. Having no one to talk to, Peter found a 

 shady place close to the old stone wall and there 

 sat down to think ovey* the surprising things he had 

 learned. Presently Goldy the Baltimore Oriole 

 alighted in the nearest apple-tree, and it seemed 

 to Peter that never had he seen any one more 

 beautifully dressed. His head, neck, throat and 

 upper part of his back were black. The lower 

 part of his back and his breast were a beautiful 

 deep orange color. There was a dash of orange 

 on his shoulders, but the rest of his wings were 

 black with an edging of white. His tail was black 

 and orange. Peter had heard him called the 

 Firebird, and now he understood why. His song 

 was quite as rich and beautiful as his coat. 



Shortly he was joined by Mrs. Goldy. Com- 

 pared with her handsome husband she was very 

 modestly dressed. She wore more brown than 

 [87] 



