The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



shore. He doesn't seem to care how long they 

 have been dead either." 



"Doesn't he eat anything but fish?" asked 

 Peter innocently. 



"Well," retorted Jenny Wren, her eyes twink- 

 ling, "I wouldn't advise you to run across the 

 Green Meadows in sight of King Eagle. I am 

 told he is very fond of Rabbit. In fact he is very 

 fond of fresh meat of any kind. He even catches 

 the babies of Lightfoot the Deer when he gets a 

 chance. He is so swift of wing that even the 

 members of the Duck family fear him, for he is 

 especially fond of fat Duck. Even Honker the 

 Goose is not safe from him. King he may be, 

 but he rules only through fear. He is a white- 

 headed old robber. The best thing I can say of 

 him is that he takes a mate for life and is loyal 

 and true to her as long as she lives, and that is a 

 great many years. By the way, Peter, did you 

 know that she is bigger than he is, and that the 

 young during the first year after leaving their 

 nest, are bigger than their parents and do not have 

 white heads? By the time they get white heads 

 they are the same size as their parents." 



"That's queer and it's hard to believe," said Peter. 



"It is queer, but it is true just the same, whether 

 you believe it or not," retorted Jenny Wren, and 

 whisked out of sight into her home. 

 [150] 



