The Constant Singers 



surprised if he kicks all the rest of them out before 

 he gets through. Mr. and Mrs. Redeye are dread- 

 fully distressed about it, but they will feed him 

 because they say it isn't his fault. It's a dreadful 

 affair and the talk of the whole Orchard. I sup- 

 pose his mother is off gadding somewhere, having a 

 good time and not caring a flip of her tail feathers 

 what becomes of him. I believe in being good- 

 hearted, but there is such a thing as overdoing the 

 matter. Thank goodness I'm not so weak-minded 

 that I can be imposed on in any such way as 

 that." 



"Speaking of the Vireos, Redeye seems to be the 

 only member of his family around here," remarked 

 Peter. 



"Listen!" commanded Jenny Wren. "Don't 

 you hear that warbling song 'way over in the big 

 elm in front of Farmer Brown's house where Goldy 

 the oriole has his nest ?" 



Peter listened. At first he didn't hear it, and 

 as usual Jenny Wren made fun of him for having 

 such big ears and not being able to make better 

 use of them. Presently he did hear it. The voice 

 was not unlike that of Redeye, but the song was 

 smoother, more continuous and sweeter. Peter's 

 face lighted up. "I hear it," he cried. 



"That's Redeye's cousin, the Warbling Vireo," 

 said Jenny. "He's a better singer than Redeye 

 [219] 



