The Burgess Bird Book for ChildrenBurgess, Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo)
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The Burgess Bird Book for Children
Burgess, Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo)
Birds -- Juvenile literature
Peter chuckled, but it was a noiseless chuckle. He kept perfectly still,
for it was fun to watch some one who hadn't the least idea that he was
being watched. It was quite clear that Chewink was hungry and that under
those dry leaves he was finding a good meal. His feet were made for
scratching and he certainly knew how to use them. For some time Peter
sat there watching. He had just about made up his mind that he would
make his presence known and have a bit of morning gossip when, happening
to look out beyond the edge of the little thicket, he saw something red.
It was something alive, for it was moving very slowly and cautiously
towards the place where Chewink was so busy and forgetful of everything
but his breakfast. Peter knew that there was only one person with a coat
of that color. It was Reddy Fox, and quite plainly Reddy was hoping to
catch Chewink.
For a second or two Peter was quite undecided what to do. He couldn't
warn Chewink without making his own presence known to Reddy Fox. Of
course he could sit perfectly still and let Chewink be caught, but that
was such a dreadful thought that Peter didn't consider it for more than
a second or two. He suddenly thumped the ground with his feet. It
was his danger signal which all his friends know. Then he turned and
scampered lipperty-lipperty-lip to a thick bramble-tangle not far behind
him.
At the sound of that thump Chewink instantly flew up in a little tree.
Then he saw Reddy Fox and began to scold. As for Reddy, he looked over
towards the bramble-tangle and snarled. “I'll get you one of these days,
Peter Rabbit,” said he. “I'll get you one of these days and pay you
up for cheating me out of a breakfast.” Without so much as a glance at
Chewink, Reddy turned and trotted off, trying his best to look dignified
and as if he had never entertained such a thought as trying to catch
Chewink.
From his perch Chewink watched until he was sure that Reddy Fox had
gone away for good. Then he called softly, “Towhee! Towhee! Chewink!
Chewink! All is safe now, Peter Rabbit. Come out and talk with me and
let me tell you how grateful to you I am for saving my life.”
Chewink flew down to the ground and Peter crept out of the
bramble-tangle. “It wasn't anything,” declared Peter. “I saw Reddy and I
knew you didn't, so of course I gave the alarm. You would have done
the same thing for me. Do you know, Chewink, I've wondered a great deal
about you.”
“What have you wondered about me?” asked Chewink.
“I've wondered what family you belong to,” replied Peter.
Chewink chuckled. “I belong to a big family,” said he. “I belong to
the biggest family among the birds. It is the Finch and Sparrow family.
There are a lot of us and a good many of us don't look much alike, but
still we belong to the same family. I suppose you know that Rosebreast
the Grosbeak and Glory the Cardinal are members of my family.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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