when he is puzzled. "I don't
see," said he, "how it is possible for you to pick up food with a bill
like that."

"And I don't see how I would get my food if I didn't have a bill like
this," retorted Snipper. Then, seeing how puzzled Peter really was, he
went on to explain. "You see, I live very largely on the seeds that grow
in pine cones and the cones of other trees. Of course I eat some other
food, such as seeds and buds of trees. But what I love best of all are
the seeds that grow in the cones of evergreen trees. If you've ever
looked at one of those cones, you will understand that those seeds are
not very easy to get at. But with this kind of a bill it is no trouble
at all. I can snip them out just as easily as birds with straight
bills can pick up seeds. You see my bill is very much like a pair of
scissors."

"It really is very wonderful," confessed Peter. "Do you mind telling me,
Snipper, why I never have seen you here in summer?"

"For the same reason that in summer you never see Snowflake and Wanderer
the Horned Lark and some others I might name," replied Snipper. "Give me
the Far North every time. I would stay there the year through but that
sometimes food gets scarce up there. That is why I am down here now. If
you'll excuse me, I'll go finish my breakfast."

Snipper flew up in the tree where the other Crossbills were at work and
Peter and Jumper watched them.

"I suppose you know," said Jumper, "that Snipper has a cousin who looks
almost exactly like him with the exception of two white bars on each
wing. He is called the White-winged Crossbill."

"I didn't know it," replied Peter, "but I'm glad you've told me. I
certainly shall watch out for him. I can't get over those funny bills.
No one could ever mistake it for any other bird. Is there anyone else
now from the Far North whom I haven't seen?"

CHAPTER XLIV. More Folks in Red.

Jumper the Hare didn't have time to reply to Peter Rabbit's question
when Peter asked if there was any one else besides the Crossbills who
had come down from the Far North.

"I have," said a voice from a tree just back of them.

It was so unexpected that it made both Peter and Jumper hop in startled
surprise. Then they turned to see who had spoken. There sat a bird just
a little smaller than Welcome Robin, who at first glance seemed to be
dressed in strawberry-red. However, a closer look showed that there were
slate-gray markings about his head, under his wings and o