The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



"Thank you," responded Kitty. "It's very 

 nice of you to say that, Peter. If you are glad to 

 see me I am still more glad to get back." 



"Did you pass a pleasant winter down South?" 

 asked Peter. 



"Fairly so. Fairly so," replied Kitty. "By 

 the way, Peter, I picked up some new songs down 

 there. Would you like to hear them ?" 



"Of course," replied Peter, "but I don't think 

 you need any new songs. I've never seen such a 

 fellow for picking up other people's songs excepting 

 Mocker the Mockingbird." 



At the mention of Mocker a little cloud crossed 

 Kitty's face for just an instant. "There's a fellow 

 I really envy," said he. "I'm pretty good at 

 imitating others, but Mocker is better. I'm hop- 

 ing that, if I practice enough, some day I can be 

 as good. I saw a lot of him in the South and he 

 certainly is clever." 



"Huh ! You don't need to envy him," retorted 

 Peter. "You are some imitator yourself. How 

 about those new notes you got when you were in 

 the South?" 



Kitty's face cleared, his throat swelled and he 

 began to sing. It was a regular medley. It didn't 

 seem as if so many notes could come from one 

 throat. When it ended Peter had a question all 

 ready. 



[204] 



