The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



lip. As he ran he happened to look back and 

 was just in time to see Mrs. Jay slip on to the nest. 

 Then Peter knew that he had discovered Sammy's 

 home. He chuckled as he ran. 



"I've found out your secret, Sammy Jay!" 

 cried Peter when at last he caught up with Sammy. 



"Then I hope you'll be gentleman enough to 

 keep it," grumbled Sammy, looking not at all 

 pleased. 



"Certainly," replied Peter with dignity. "I 

 wouldn't think of telling any one. My, what a 

 handsome fellow you are, Sammy." 



Sammy looked pleased. He is a little bit vain, 

 is Sammy Jay. There is no denying that he is 

 handsome. He is just a bit bigger than Welcome 

 Robin. His back is grayish-blue. His tail is a 

 bright blue crossed with little black bars and 

 edged with white. His wings are blue with white 

 and black bars. His throat and breast are a soft 

 grayish-white, and he wears a collar of black. 

 On his head he wears a pointed cap, a very con- 

 venient cap, for at times he draws it down so that 

 it is not pointed at all. 



"Why did you steal Mrs. Chebec's eggs?" 

 demanded Peter abruptly. 



Sammy didn't look the least bit put out. "Be- 

 cause I like eggs," he replied promptly. "If 

 people will leave their eggs unguarded they must 

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