The Burgess Bird Book for Children | Page 6

have used
their eyes as I have mine. There is no place like home, and you needn't
try to tease me by pretending that there is. My dear, I know you; you
are just as tickled to be back here as I am."

"He sings as if he were," said Peter, for all the time Mr. Wren was
singing with all his might.
Jenny Wren looked over at Mr. Wren fondly. "Isn't he a dear to sing to
me like that? And isn't it a perfectly beautiful spring song?" said she.
Then, without waiting for Peter to reply, her tongue rattled on. "I do
wish he would be careful. Sometimes I am afraid he will overdo. Just
look at him now! He is singing so hard that he is shaking all over. He
always is that way. There is one thing true about us Wrens, and this is
that when we do things we do them with all our might. When we work
we work with all our might. When Mr. Wren sings he sings with all his
might."
"And, when you scold you scold with all your might," interrupted Peter
mischievously.
Jenny Wren opened her mouth for a sharp reply, but laughed instead. "I
suppose I do scold a good deal," said she, "but if I didn't goodness
knows who wouldn't impose on us. I can't bear to be imposed on."
"Did you have a pleasant journey up from the sunny South?" asked
Peter.
"Fairly pleasant," replied Jenny. "We took it rather easily, Some birds
hurry right through without stopping, but I should think they would be
tired to death when they arrive. We rest whenever we are tired, and just
follow along behind Mistress Spring, keeping far enough behind so that
if she has to turn back we will not get caught by Jack Frost. It gives us
time to get our new suits on the way. You know everybody expects you
to have new things when you return home. How do you like my new
suit, Peter?" Jenny bobbed and twisted and turned to show it off. It was
plain to see that she was very proud of it.
"Very much," replied Peter. "I am very fond of brown. Brown and gray
are my favorite colors." You know Peter's own coat is brown and gray.
"That is one of the most sensible things I have heard you say,"
chattered Jenny Wren. The more I see of bright colors the better I like

brown. It always is in good taste. It goes well with almost everything. It
is neat and it is useful. If there is need of getting out of sight in a hurry
you can do it if you wear brown. But if you wear bright colors it isn't so
easy. I never envy anybody who happens to have brighter clothes than
mine. I've seen dreadful things happen all because of wearing bright
colors."
"What?" demanded Peter.
"I'd rather not talk about them," declared Jenny in a very emphatic way.
"'Way down where we spent the winter some of the feathered folks
who live there all the year round wear the brightest and most beautiful
suits I've ever seen. They are simply gorgeous. But I've noticed that in
times of danger these are the folks dreadful things happen to. You see
they simply can't get out of sight. For my part I would far rather be
simply and neatly dressed and feel safe than to wear wonderful clothes
and never know a minute's peace. Why, there are some families I know
of which, because of their beautiful suits, have been so hunted by men
that hardly any are left. But gracious, Peter Rabbit, I can't sit here all
day talking to you! I must find out who else has arrived in the Old
Orchard and must look my old house over to see if it is fit to live in."
CHAPTER II
The Old Orchard Bully.
Peter Rabbit's eyes twinkled when Jenny Wren said that she must look
her old house over to see if it was fit to live in. "I can save you that
trouble," said he.
"What do you mean?" Jenny's voice was very sharp.
"Only that our old house is already occupied," replied Peter. "Bully the
English Sparrow has been living in it for the last two months. In fact,
he already has a good-sized family there."
"What?" screamed Jenny and Mr. Wren together. Then without even
saying good-by to Peter, they flew in a great rage to see if he had told

them the truth. Presently he heard them scolding as fast as their tongues
could go, and this is very fast indeed.
"Much good that will do them," chuckled Peter. "They will have to find
a new house this year. All the sharp