The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



"Just what I say," retorted Jenny Wren. "Mrs. 

 Hummer sticks her bill right down their throats and 

 then pumps up the food she has already swallowed. 

 I guess it is a good thing that the babies have short 

 bills." 



"Do they?" asked Peter, opening his eyes very 

 wide with surprise. 



"Yes," replied Jenny. "When they hatch out 

 they have short bills, but it doesn't take them a 

 great while to grow long." 



"How many babies does Mrs. Hummer usually 

 have?" asked Peter. 



"Just two," replied Jenny. "Just two. That's 

 all that nest will hold. But goodness gracious, 

 Peter, I can't stop gossiping here any longer. You 

 have no idea what a care seven babies are." 



With a jerk of her tail off flew Jenny Wren, and 

 Peter hurried back to tell Johnny Chuck all he had 

 found out about Hummer the Hummingbird. 



[206] 



