BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



though we knew of his song, it was a surprise 

 when he mounted a gate post and sang his 

 sweet, strong notes. One day he was scratch- 

 ing and pecking so intently on the lawn that 

 he paid no attention to us as we sat watching, 

 and came within a few feet of us. 



The children call him the bird with the white 

 apron, and, indeed, with his glossy black head 

 and throat and wings and rich chestnut sides, 

 the white breast does look like an apron donned 

 to protect his handsome dress. To Whee's wife 

 is light brown where he is black, the other 

 feathers the same as his, so she is not easily 

 seen when on the nest, which is usually on the 

 ground beside a stump or fallen log or brush 

 heap. 



One should not rake up the dead leaves too 

 early if one wishes to attract To Whee, who 

 likes to scratch among them for his dinner of 

 insects. 



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