CHAPTER XLIV 



MORE FOLKS IN RED 



JUMPER THE HARE didn't have time to reply to 

 Peter Rabbit's question when Peter asked if there 

 was any one else besides the Crossbills who had 

 come down from the Far North. 



"I have," said a voice from a tree just back of 

 them. 



It was so unexpected that it made both Peter 

 and Jumper hop in startled surprise. Then they 

 turned to see who had spoken. There sat a bird 

 just a little smaller than Welcome Robin, who at 

 first glance seemed to be dressed in strawberry-red. 

 However, a closer look showed that there were 

 slate-gray markings about his head, under his wings 

 and on his legs. His tail was brown. His wings 

 were brown, marked with black and white and 

 slate. His bill was thick and rather short. 



"Who are you?" demanded Peter very bluntly 

 and impolitely. 



"I'm Piny the Pine Grosbeak," replied the 

 stranger, seemingly not at all put out by Peter's 

 bluntness. 



[327] 



