I enjoy having for a
neighbor more than I do you."

"Thank you again, Peter," cried Dotty, "and please let me return the
compliment. I like cold weather. I like winter when there isn't too much
ice and bad weather. I always feel good in cold weather. That is one
reason I go north to nest."

"Speaking of nests, do you build in a tree?" inquired Peter.

"Usually on or near the ground," replied Dotty. "You know I am really
a ground bird although I am called a Tree Sparrow. Most of us Sparrows
spend our time on or near the ground."

"I know," replied Peter. "Do you know I'm very fond of the Sparrow
family. I just love your cousin Chippy, who nests in the Old Orchard
every spring. I wish he would stay all winter. I really don't see why he
doesn't. I should think he could if you can."

Dotty laughed. It was a tinkling little laugh, good to hear. "Cousin
Chippy would starve to death," he declared. "It is all a matter of food.
You ought to know that by this time, Peter. Cousin Chippy lives chiefly
on worms and bugs and I live almost wholly on seeds, and that is what
makes the difference. Cousin Chippy must go where he can get plenty to
eat. I can get plenty here and so I stay."

"Did you and your relatives come down from the Far North alone?" asked
Peter.

"No," replied Dotty promptly. "Slaty the Junco and his relatives came
along with us and we had a very merry party."

Peter pricked up his ears. "Is Slaty here now?" he asked eagerly.

"Very much here," replied a voice right behind Peter's back. It was
so unexpected that it made Peter jump. He turned to find Slaty himself
chuckling merrily as he picked up seeds. He was very nearly the same
size as Dotty but trimmer. In fact he was one of the trimmest, neatest
appearing of all of Peter's friends. There was no mistaking Slaty the
Junco for any other bird. His head, throat and breast were clear slate
color. Underneath he was white. His sides were grayish. His outer tail
feathers were white. His bill was flesh color. It looked almost white.

"Welcome! Welcome!" cried Peter. "Are you here to stay all winter?"

"I certainly am," was Slaty's prompt response. "It will take pretty bad
weather to drive me away from here. If the snow gets too deep I'll just
go up to Farmer Brown's barnyard. I can always pick up a meal there, for
Farmer Brown's boy is a very good friend of mine. I know he won't let me
starve, no matter what the weather is. I think it is going to snow some
mo