The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



acted that way. If Peter hadn't known him so well 

 he might have been offended. But Peter knew 

 that there is no one among his feathered friends 

 more cautious than Chut-Chut the Chat. He never 

 takes anything for granted. He appears to be 

 always on the watch for danger, even to the extent 

 of suspecting his very best friends. 



When he had decided in his own mind that 

 there was no danger, Chut-Chut came out for 

 a little gossip. But like all the rest of the Warblers 

 he couldn't keep still. Right in the middle of the 

 story of his travels from far-away Mexico he flew 

 to the top of a little tree, began to sing, then flew 

 out into the air with his legs dangling and his tail 

 wagging up and down in the funniest way, and 

 there continued his song as he slowly dropped down 

 into the thicket again. It was a beautiful song 

 and Peter hastened to tell him so. 



Chut-Chut was pleased. He showed it by 

 giving a little concert all by himself. It seemed 

 to Peter that he never had heard such a variety 

 of whistles and calls and songs as came from that 

 yellow throat. When it was over Chut-Chut 

 abruptly said good-by and disappeared. Peter 

 could hear his sharp "Chut! Chut!" farther along 

 in the thicket as he hunted for worms among the 

 bushes. 



"I wonder," said Peter, speaking out loud 

 [188] 



