window and see if that will not be bet- 

 ter than a magic whistle." 



This the boys did and watched for 

 sever~al days. At last a, downy wood- 

 pecker discovered the treat. He tasted 

 and found it good. Bradford Torrey 

 says, "one bird draws another," and 

 someway the downy must have let out 

 the secret of the tree which bore such 

 seasonable fruit, for before many days 

 one could scarcely look out without 

 seeing some feathered citizen enjoying 

 the feast. 



The boys watched and studied them 

 so long, they felt as if they understood 

 what they would like to say when they 

 gave those shy glances toward the win- 

 dow. First the woodpecker would an- 

 nounce his commg by a sharp "pip" 

 and after eating a while, he would seem 

 to say: "Look at me! I come of an 

 ancient and honorable race. One of 

 our family was immortalized by Plato 

 in the story of Trince Red Cap,' which 

 you have doubtless read. I myself have 

 nested for three years in the old apple 

 tree yonder and my parents before me 

 lived in this same orchard. We have 

 watched some of our neighbors com- 

 ing and going with the seasons. Some 

 say it is for the climate and some that 

 they can find a living easier in a new 

 place, but I don't see but our family 

 do just as well as these flitters. I am 

 sure (glancing at his neat pepper and 

 salt suit) we are well dressed and if 

 others used the judgment I do in the 

 selection of winter quarters, I think 

 there would be less complaint about 

 climate. And then, so much moving is 

 a great wrench to your affections; so 

 you see, boys, you can count on me 

 summer or winter." 



When a sharp harsh "quank" was 

 heard the boys knew they should see 

 the nut-hatch. 



"Ah, boys, I am an acrobat; don't 

 step back from the window, I am not 

 abashed. I have performed before all 

 the crowned heads in the orchard, and, 

 if there are crowned heads or others 

 who wish it, I am perfectly willing to 

 do my best for their entertainment, 

 good for a little fellow, isn't it? Hump! 

 My exhibitions are free, thus placing 

 *-hcm within the reach of all. You see 



I can run up or down this branch, 

 hanging in every conceivable attitude, 

 head up or down, makes very little dif- 

 ference to me. And then I have some 

 feats of strength. I can crack a nut 

 without a hammer, which is pretty 

 — my appetite doesn't seem sharp just 

 now but I believe in improving one's 

 opportunities. I will carry some of 

 these tempting rnorsels of fat to the old 

 cherry tree and hide them in a crevice 

 in the bark. I shall no doubt find it 

 convenient to have a private store of 

 my own laid by for a cold day." 



"Chank, chank, chank — we," said the 

 sparrows, "are English and came Dy 

 special invitation to this beautiful coun- 

 try of yours, where all are free to enjoy 

 life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- 

 ness. There are those who begrudge 

 us our rights, but surely something can 

 be said in our favor. We 'love the 

 haunts of men, and neither summer's 

 heat nor winter's cold keeps us from 

 bearing him cheerful company. We 

 have large families to provide for; find- 

 ing them food and lodgings taxes us to 

 the utmost, and we have no time to 

 listen to unfriendly criticism." 



Then down would flutter a familv of 

 chickadees, who' had such a merry 

 time, they seemed to say, "The domes- 

 tic problem is solved for us; henceforth 

 we shall dine at this restaurant and by 

 coming at the same time it will be more 

 sociable and we shall dine quite 'en 

 famille/ although in a public place." 



One of their number would often sit 

 on a nearby branch and from time to 

 time give his little warble, which the 

 boys interpreted as "be bold, be bold." 

 When the meal was ended and they 

 were flying away, this song seemed to 

 come floating back: 



"Oh I am a chickadee bold. 



The winter is fun for me, 

 I fear neither wind nor cold, 



But frolic and laugh in glee. 



"The summer and flowers have fled, 



T would not ask them to stay, 

 For snowflakes that come in their stead 



Are far more merry and gay. 



"Then ho! for the wintry weather, 



Ho ! for the drifting snow, 

 We'll all he bold together 



And cheerily sing as we go !" 



Debora Otis. 



