The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



matter of fact, I've got a nest in this very thicket. 

 Mrs. Towhee is on it right now, and I suspect 

 she's worrying and anxious to know what happened 

 over here when you warned me about Reddy Fox. 

 I think I must go over and set her mind at 

 rest." 



Peter was just about to ask if he might go along 

 and see that nest when a new voice broke in. 



"What are you fellows talking about?" it de- 

 manded, and there flitted just in front of Peter a 

 little bird the size of a Sparrow but lovelier than 

 any Sparrow of Peter's acquaintance. At first 

 glance he seemed to be all blue, and such a lovely 

 bright blue. But as he paused for an instant Peter 

 saw that his wings and tail were mostly black and 

 that the lovely blue was brightest on his head and 

 back. It was Indigo the Bunting. 



"We were talking about our family," replied 

 Chewink. "I was telling Peter that we belong to 

 the largest family among the birds." 



"But you didn't say anything about Indigo," 

 interrupted Peter. "Do you mean to say that he 

 belongs to the same family ?" 



"I surely do," replied Indigo. "I'm rather 

 closely related to the Sparrow branch. Don't 

 I look like a Sparrow ?" 



Peter looked at Indigo closely. "In size and 

 shape you do," he confessed, "but just the same I 

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