bout this big world where I find myself all at
once."

So the linnet pulled a leaf and pecked two holes for Bud's arms, and put
it on like a pinafore; for she never had dressed a baby and did not know
how, her own children being born with down coats which soon changed to
gray feathers. Bud looked very pretty in her green dress as she sat on
the edge of the nest staring about with her blue eyes and clapping her
hands when the papa came flying home with a sweet wild berry in his
bill for her breakfast. She ate it like an apple, and drank a drop of
dew that had fallen in the night; then she began to sing so sweetly that
all the neighbors came to see what sort of bird Dame Linnet had hatched.

Such a twittering and fluttering as went on while they talked the matter
over, asked many questions, and admired the pretty little creature who
only knew her name and nothing more!

"Shall you keep her?" asked the robin, as he puffed out his red
waistcoat and looked very wise.

"We dare not send her away," said the linnets.

"She will be a great deal of care," said the wren.

"You never can teach her to fly, and what will you do when your own
children are gone?" asked the wood dove, who was very tender-hearted.

"You will have to make a new frock every day, and that will be so much
work," said the yellow-bird, who was very proud of her own gay gown and
black velvet hood.

"I think some bad elf put her here to bring you trouble. I'd push her
out of the nest and let her take care of herself," advised the
woodpecker, wondering if the plump child would be as good to eat as the
worms he hammered out of the trees.

"No, no!" cried the brown thrush; "she is too pretty to bring harm. Keep
her till you see what she can do, and perhaps she may be a good sprite
after all."

"She sings almost as well as I do, and I shall like to add her songs to
the many I already know," said the blackbird, who had lovely concerts in
the meadow all by himself.

"Yes, we will wait a little; and if we cannot decide, by and by we will
ask your advice, neighbors," said the linnets, beginning to feel rather
proud of the curious stranger, since her coming made such a stir in the
wood.

The birds flew away; and Bud settled down as one of the family, making
herself so pleasant that all loved her and willingly crowded together to
make room for her in the nest. The mother brooded over her at night, and
made her fresh gowns every day when the old ones withere