The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



"If you don't mind," said Peter, "I'll go with 

 you." 



Mourner said he didn't mind, so Peter followed 

 him over to the dusty place in the long lane. 

 There Mourner was joined by Mrs. Dove, who was 

 dressed very much like him save that she did not 

 have so beautiful a neck. While they thoroughly 

 dusted themselves they chatted with Peter. 



"I see you on the ground so much that I've often 

 wondered if you build your nest on the ground," 

 said Peter. 



"No," replied Mourner. "Mrs. Dove builds in 

 a tree, but usually not very far above the ground. 

 Now if you'll excuse us we must get back home. 

 Mrs. Dove has two eggs to sit on and while she is 

 sitting I like to be close at hand to keep her 

 company and make love to her." 



The Doves shook the loose dust from their 

 feathers and flew away. Peter watched to see 

 where they went, but lost sight of them behind 

 some trees, so decided to run up to the Old Orchard. 

 There he found Jenny and Mr. Wren as busy as ever 

 feeding that growing family of theirs. Jenny 

 wouldn't stop an instant to gossip. Peter was so 

 brimful of what he had found out about Mr. and 

 Mrs. Dove that he just had to tell some one. He 

 heard Kitty the Catbird meowing among the 

 bushes along the old stone wall, so hurried over to 

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