A Royal Dresser and a Late Nester 



is just roaming about having a good time. Isn't 

 that so, Chicoree?" 



"Isn't what so?" demanded Chicoree the Gold- 

 finch, perching very near to where Linnet was 

 sitting. 



"Isn't it true that you haven't even begun think- 

 ing about a nest?" demanded Linnet. Chicoree 

 flew down in the grass almost under Peter's nose 

 and began to pull apart a dandelion which had 

 gone to seed. He snipped the seeds from the soft 

 down to which they were attached and didn't say a 

 word till he was quite through. Then he flew up 

 in the tree near Linnet, and while he dressed his 

 feathers, answered Linnet's question. 



"It's quite true, but what of it?" said he. 

 "There's time enough to think about nest-building 

 and household cares later. Mrs. Goldfinch and 

 I will begin to think about them about the first of 

 July. Meanwhile we are making the most of this 

 beautiful season to roam about and have a good 

 time. For one thing we like thistledown to line 

 our nest, and there isn't any thistledown yet. 

 Then, there is no sense in raising a family until 

 there is plenty of the right kind of food, and you 

 know we Goldfinches live mostly on seeds. I'll 

 venture to say that we are the greatest seed-eaters 

 anywhere around. Of course when the babies are 

 small they have to have soft food, but one can find 

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