Honker and Dippy Arrive 



on until we reach the place in the far-away South 

 where we will make our winter home." 



Just then Honker was interrupted by wild, 

 strange sounds from the middle of the Great River. 

 It sounded like crazy laughter. Peter jumped at 

 the sound, but Honker merely chuckled. "It's 

 Dippy the Loon," said he. " He spent the summer 

 in the Far North not far from us. He started 

 south just before we did." 



"I wish he would come in here so that I can get 

 a good look at him and make his acquaintance," 

 said Peter. 



" He may, but I doubt it," replied Honker. " He 

 and his mate are great people to keep by themselves. 

 Then, too, they don't have to come ashore for food. 

 You know Dippy feeds altogether on fish. He 

 really has an easier time on the long journey than 

 we do, because he can get his food without running 

 so much risk of being shot by the terrible hunters. 

 He practically lives on the water. He's about the 

 most awkward fellow on land of any one I know." 



"Why should he be any more awkward on land 

 then you?" asked Peter, his curiosity aroused at 

 once. 



"Because," replied Honker, "Old Mother 



Nature has given him very short legs and has 



placed them so far back on his body that he can't 



keep his balance to walk, and has to use his wingg 



[289] 



