CHAPTER XXIX 



THE CONSTANT SINGERS 



OVER in a maple-tree on the edge of Farmer 

 Brown's door yard lived Mr. and Mrs. Redeye the 

 Vireos. Peter Rabbit knew that they had a nest 

 there because Jenny Wren had told him so. He 

 would have guessed it anyway, because Redeye 

 spent so much time in that tree during the nesting 

 season. No matter what hour of the day Peter 

 visited the Old Orchard he heard Redeye singing 

 over in the maple-tree. Peter used to think that 

 if song is an expression of happiness, Redeye must 

 be the happiest of all birds. 



He was a little fellow about the size of one of 

 the larger Warblers and quite as modestly dressed 

 as any of Peter's acquaintances. The crown of 

 his head was gray with a little blackish border on 

 either side. Over each eye was a white line. 

 Underneath he was white. For the rest he was 

 dressed in light olive-green. The first time he 

 came down near enough for Peter to see him well 

 Peter understood at once why he is called Redeye. 

 His eyes were red. Yes, sir, his eyes were red, 

 [215] 



