Queer Feet and a Queerer Bill 



" Your bill, " replied Peter promptly. " How did 

 it get twisted like that ? " 



Snipper laughed. "It isn't twisted," said he. 

 "It is just the way Old Mother Nature made it, 

 and I really don't know what I'd do if it were any 

 different." 



Peter scratched one long ear, as is his way when 

 he is puzzled. "I don't see," said he, "how it is 

 possible for you to pick up food with a bill like 

 that." 



"And I don't see how I would get my food if I 

 didn't have a bill like this," retorted Snipper. 

 Then, seeing how puzzled Peter really was, he went 

 on to explain. "You see, I live very largely on 

 the seeds that grow in pine cones and the cones of 

 other trees. Of course I eat some other food, such 

 as seeds and buds of trees. But what I love best 

 of all are the seeds that grow in the cones of ever- 

 green trees. If you've ever looked at one of those 

 cones, you will understand that those seeds are not 

 very easy to get at. But with this kind of a bill 

 it is no trouble at all. I can snip them out just as 

 easily as birds with straight bills can pick up 

 seeds. You see my bill is very much like a pair 

 of scissors." 



"It really is very wonderful," confessed Peter. 

 "Do you mind telling me, Snipper, why I never 

 have seen you here in summer ? " 



