THE SNOW OWL'S CHRISTMAS PARTY 135 



you please, I think I will warm my claws a bit 

 by the fire ; they will hardly bend." And he 

 walked solemnly over to the hearth ; but when 

 he saw the glassy eyes of the bear's head on the 

 rug, he gave a squawk and chasseed in the oppo- 

 site direction. 



Tommy-Anne laughed heartily, and Waddles 

 rolled out of the scrap basket, seeming much 

 surprised to find so many birds about. 



" Will you tell me the names of your friends, 

 and where they come from? " asked she ; "I have 

 never seen any of them about in the summer." 



"They are all my wing companions from the 

 north," answered Waw-be-ko-ko, " and their nest- 

 ing haunts are where the snow, even in summer, 

 lingers on the side of things that Gheezis does 

 not see. They come to you with the snow, and 

 leave again before it has melted from under the 

 fences. Brother Shrike, allow me to present you 

 to my friend the House Child ! " 



The Shrike was rather embarrassed, for, think- 

 ing himself unobserved, he in company with the 

 Tree Sparrow, was taking a dip in Aunt Prue's 

 water pail, and was in a dripping condition wholly 

 out of keeping with an evening party. But he 

 flew to the perch, vainly endeavouring to appear 

 at ease. 



