34 STORIES OF EARTH AND SKY 



Hawks held themselves rather aloof, while 

 Little Oo-oo blinked solemnly from his home 

 tree-hole. Bob-white ran out from the leaves, 

 but without whistling, and Anne could see the 

 forms of many of the Brush Beacon Beasts 

 crouching behind rocks and trees. Small Wood- 

 peckers tapped, Chickadees whistled, and the big 

 Flicker laughed so loud that the Rabbits turned 

 somersaults downhill in fright. Evidently they 

 were all waiting for some one. 



" Phee-bee,-phee-bee-a," called a faint voice. 

 Instantly every animal was alert. " Phee-bee,- 

 phee-bee-a," sounded again clearly overhead, 

 and in dashed a little brown Phoebe Bird, out 

 of breath, but otherwise quite well. 



"Now by this sign the Clans declare the gar- 

 dens, the woods, and the fields are ready to 

 greet Spring. Listen to the Signal ! " called 

 the Ruffed Grouse, making a rapid, continuous 

 drumming noise in some mysterious manner 

 with his wings. 



"How did he do that? I was looking right 

 at him and I can't tell," said Anne, turning to 

 Little Oo-oo, who, from not having much to 

 say, was thought to be very wise. 



"How? Ask Wabeno, the Magician, for he 

 has lent Ruffle the very sound of his own drum." 



