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."

"I didn't know it," replied Peter, "but if you say it is so I suppose it
must be so. It is easier to believe than it is to believe that you are
related to the Sparrows."

"Nevertheless I am," retorted Chewink.

"What were you scratching for when I first saw you?" asked Peter.

"Oh, worms and bugs that hide under the leaves," replied Chewink
carelessly. "You have no idea how many of them hide under dead leaves."

"Do you eat anything else?" asked Peter.

"Berries and wild fruits in season," replied Chewink. "I'm very fond of
them. They make a variety in the bill of fare."

"I've noticed that I seldom see you up in the tree tops," remarked
Peter.

"I like the ground better," replied Chewink. "I spend more of my time on
the ground than anywhere else."

"I suppose that means that you nest on the ground," ven