.

"Well, if there's a tin roof anywhere around, and Yellow Wing can find
it, he will be perfectly happy. He certainly does love to make a noise,
and tin makes the finest kind of a drum."

Just then Jenny was interrupted by the arrival, on the trunk of the very
next tree to the one on which she was sitting, of a bird about the size
of Sammy Jay. His whole head and neck were a beautiful, deep red. His
breast was pure white, and his back was black to nearly the beginning of
his tail, where it was white.

"Hello, Redhead!" exclaimed Jenny Wren. "How did you know we were
talking about your family?"

"Hello, chatterbox," retorted Redhead with a twinkle in his eyes. "I
didn't know you were talking about my family, but I could have guessed
that you were talking about some one's family. Does your tongue ever
stop, Jenny?"

Jenny Wren started to become indignant and scold, then thought better
of it. "I was talking for Peter's benefit," said she, trying to look
dignified, a thing quite impossible for any member of the Wren family to
do. "Peter has always had the idea that true Woodpeckers never go
down on the ground. I was explaining to him that Yellow Wing is a true
Woodpecker, yet spends half his time on the ground."

Redhead nodded. "It's all on account of ants," said he. "I don't know of
any one quite so fond of ants unless it is Old Mr. Toad. I like a few of
them myself, but Yellow Wing just about lives on them when he can. You
may have noticed that I go down on the ground myself once in a while.
I am rather fond of beetles, and an occasional grasshopper tastes
very good to me. I like a variety. Yes, sir, I certainly do like a
variety--cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes. In
fact most kinds of fruit taste good to me, not to mention beechnuts and
acorns when there is no fruit."

Jenny Wren tossed her head. "You didn't mention the eggs of some of your
neighbors," said she sharply.

Redhead did his best to look innocent, but Peter noticed that he gave a
guilty start and very abruptly changed the subject, and a moment later
flew away.

"Is it true," asked Peter, "that Redhead does such a dreadful thing?"

Jenny bobbed her head rapidly and jerked her tail. "So I an told," said
she. "I've never seen him do it, but I know others who have. They say he
is no better than Sammy Jay or Blacky the Crow. But gracious, goodness!
I can't sit here gossiping forever." Jenny twitched her funny little
tail, sn