The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



birds who don't come up here at all. But not one 

 of them is loved as I am, and it is all on account of 

 my voice. I would rather have a beautiful voice 

 than a fine coat." 



Peter nodded as if he quite agreed, which, when 

 you think of it, is rather funny, for Peter has neither 

 a fine coat nor a fine voice. A glint of mischief 

 sparkled in Mocker's eyes. " There's Mrs. Goldy 

 the Oriole over there," said he. "Watch me fool 

 her." 



He began to call in exact imitation of Goldy's 

 voice when he is anxious about something. At 

 once Mrs. Goldy came hurrying over to find out 

 what the trouble was. When she discovered 

 Mocker she lost her temper and scolded him 

 roundly ; then she flew away a perfect picture of 

 indignation. Mocker and Peter laughed, for they 

 thought it a good joke. 



Suddenly Peter remembered what Jenny Wren 

 had told him. "Was Jenny Wren telling me the 

 truth when she said that you are a second cousin of 

 hers ?" he asked. 



Mocker nodded. "Yes," said he, "we are 

 relatives. We each belong to a branch of the same 

 family." Then he burst into Mr. Wren's own 

 song, after which he excused himself and went to 

 look for Mrs. Mocker. For, as he explained, it was 

 time for them to be thinking of a nest. 



