" That would be much more sensible, for
they can stand the cold weather as well as
we, but we cannot stand warm days, such
as I hear. they have in this part of the
country after the ice melts."

Then the older people of the group
began to talk of the cares of life and
many other things which did not interest
their children, so the younger ones wan-
dered away from them.
" I say," called a young Junco to a
young Snow Bunting, " would n't you like



214 Among the Forest People.
to show some of these playmates of ours
the countries where we were born ?"

" Yes indeed," answered the Snow Bunt-
ing. " Would n't they open their eyes,
though ? I 'd like to have them see the
rocks up there."

" And the animals," said the Junco.
"Yes! Wouldn't they stare at the
Bears, though ! "

" Humph," said a Blue Jay. " I would n't
care very much about seeing Bears, would
you ? " And he turned to a Crow near by.
" No," said the Crow. " I don't think
very much of Bears anyway." He said
this as though he had seen them all his
life, but the Chickadees say that he never
saw even a Cub.
" They have n't any big animals here,"
said the Junco to the Snow Bunting.
" Have n't we, though ? " replied the Blue
Jay. " Guess you would n't say that if you
saw the Ground Hog. Would he say
that ? " he asked, turning to the young



A Mild Day in Winter. 215

Grouse, Quail, Woodpeckers, Goldfinches,
Chickadees, Squirrels, and Rabbits who
stood around listening.
