A Stranger and a Dandy 



was on guard, for in that tree was his nest, though 

 Peter didn't know it at the time. In fact, it was 

 so late in the summer that most of Peter's friends 

 were through nesting and he had quite lost interest 

 in nests. Presently Dandy flew down to a lower 

 branch and there he was joined by Mrs. Waxwing. 

 Then Peter was treated to one of the prettiest sights 

 he ever had seen. They rubbed their bills together 

 as if kissing. They smoothed each other's feathers 

 and altogether were a perfect picture of two little 

 lovebirds. Peter couldn't think of another couple 

 who appeared quite so gentle and loving. 



Late in the fall Peter saw Mr. and Mrs. Waxwing 

 and their family together. They were in a cedar 

 tree and were picking off and eating the cedar- 

 berries as busily as the five Waxwings had picked 

 Farmer Brown's cherries in the early summer. 

 Peter didn't know it but because of their fondness 

 for cedar berries the Waxwings were often called 

 Cedarbirds or Cedar Waxwings. 



275 



