The Burgess Bird Book for Children 



"For the same reason that in summer you 

 never see Snowflake and Wanderer the Horned 

 Lark and some others I might name," replied 

 Snipper. "Give me the Far North every time. 

 I would stay there the year through but that 

 sometimes food gets scarce up there. That is why 

 I am down here now. If you'll excuse me, I'll go 

 finish my breakfast. " 



Snipper flew up in the tree where the other 

 Crossbills were at work and Peter and Jumper 

 watched them. 



"I suppose you know," said Jumper, "that 

 Snipper has a cousin who looks almost exactly 

 like him with the exception of two white bars on 

 each wing. He is called the White-winged Cross- 

 bill." 



"I didn't know it," replied Peter, "but I'm glad 

 you've told me. I certainly shall watch out for 

 him. I can't get over those funny bills. No one 

 could ever mistake a Crossbill for any other bird. 

 Is there anyone else now from the Far North whom 

 I haven't seen?" 



[326] 



