ldren was a tiny papoose and swung in a
deerskin cradle like a bird in its nest.

"'There was a time,' said the Indian squaw, 'when the birds had no
feathers.

"'Being naked, they remained hidden among the leaves. Being ashamed
they were silent, and no bird-note sweetened the stillness of the
forest.

"'At last with faint chirpings the mother birds prayed the Great Spirit
for blankets in which to wrap their little ones.

"'Then the Great Spirit, seeing their sorry plight, sent a messenger to
the birds, who told them that even now coverings were ready for every
bird.

"'The messenger said that hereafter each family of birds should dress
in uniform, so that the forest people, seeing a bird, might know at
once, by its dress, to what bird family it belonged.

"'But alas! the messenger also said that the uniforms were a great way
off. He himself could not bring them to the forest. The birds must
choose one who was strong of wing and able to endure great hardships,
to go back with him and bring the uniforms home.

"'The poor featherless birds looked about for one who was brave and
fearless and untiring. A council was held to induce some bird to go on
this long journey.

"'But one and all pleaded some excuse. Some must remain to care for
the babes still in the nest. Some were too old to undertake the
journey. Some were too young to find the way.

"'Some had been ill and were still too weak to travel. Indeed, the
birds seemed to be in as sad a plight as before.

"'At last there stepped forth a bird, who, truth to tell, was not a
general favourite among his fellows. His name was turkey buzzard.

"'The bird agreed to undertake the long journey and bring back the
feathery uniforms, if he could choose the most beautiful coat of
feathers for himself and his family for ever.

"'To this the other birds consented, and the featherless turkey buzzard
flew away.

"'It was indeed a long and a dangerous journey. Sometimes the poor
bird nearly dropped from weariness and hunger. Sometimes, so hungry
was he, that he was forced to make a meal off from some dead animal
which lay in the way. Indeed so often did he do this that in time he
came to like this food.

"'It came to pass, after many days, that the turkey buzzard, being
directed by the Great Spirit, found the feathery uniforms.

"'He at once began to look them over. He intended to choose the most
beautiful coat of feathers for himself and his family.

"'