South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-14
UNCLE
WICCILY
UNCLE WIGGIEY AND THE
ACORN BIRD.
BY HOWARD r. GARIs.

WOODS not Tar from MS uo4lDN
stump bungalow. ne heard a noise
something like this:
"Whoo-whoO-wwhOot! Hoot! DOT.
Oot!"
"Oh, no! An OWL" thought Uncle
Wiggily TO himself Il wonder if
this is the wise owl bird, or the owl
who taught little Posey Widewake
how 10 go 10 Sleep"
Uncle Wiggily looked up into the
trees. but saw no owl, though the
noise sounded again:
WHO'D WHO'D! Hoot."
Il say. Mr.. Owl! Where are you ."
cried Uncle Wiggily. for if It was his
friend the Wise Bird the bunny wish
ed 10 see him.
A voice answered. saying:
Il am not an owl, though at GER
tain times l boot like one"
Who are you then-what sort OF
a bird?" asked Uncle Wiggily, for
ne knew the voice TO be that Of q
feathered creature
Il am the Band Tailed Pigeon"
was the answer. And VIII you
please tell me where I can find some
acOrns?"
Are you also called the Acorn
Bird ?" asked the bunny, who was
trying 10 learn as much as he could
about the birds.
We'll, you may call me that if you
wish" said the bird. though Band
Tailed Pigeon is my more common
name"
do you carry around on your
tail a band to play music?" asked
the bunny. in a somewhat joking way
as he twinkled his pink nose.
mo" answered the Acorn Bird.
the only band l have on my tail is
a band of feathers That is how |
get my name" and the bird. which
was Of soft gray color. with a pinkish
head and neck. on the back of which
were some olive green feathers. flew
closer TO the bunny
oh. now 1 see the band!" ex-
claimed Uncle Wiggily. as he noticed
the broad strip of lighter feathers on
the birds tail.
We'll, l wish l saw some acorns,"
sighed the pigeon. That is the food
/ most enjoy, but since l came here
from the oak groves of California 1
can't seem to find any acorns."
Il know where there are plenty"
said Uncle Wiggily. And as you
are a stranger in emy woods l will
call Johnnie and Billie Bushy Tail,
the squirrel boys. to show you where
the acorns may be found"
You are very kind" cooed the
Wiggily hoped off through the
woods 10 call the Bushytail boys, who
soon came scampering along to show
the new bird where to find acorns.
"Fn get my wife," hooted the
Pigeon. She is very fond of
acorns. also" And a little later
Uncle Wiggily and the squirrel boys
watched the two pigeons picking up
acorns from the ground, swallowing
the shiny brown nuts as fast as they
could take them in their beaks.
Don't you chew them ?" asked
Uncle Wiggily, as he saw the birds
swallow acorn after acorn. withou,
making single bite.
Our bills are too soft to allow us
: 10 chew the hard shells of the
acorns," said the gentleman Pigeon
But we can swallow them whole
and they give us no trouble Though
you mustn't do that" and he looked
at Johnnie and Billie.
"Oh, we always crack and chew
the nuts we eat" chartered the
squirrel boys.
The Band Tailed Pigeons were
I rafr
they ate so many that soon they
were quite filled up. and this was
not impOlite or greedy of them, for it
was intended that they should eat in
this way.
There are lots Of acorns left on
the ground" said Mrs. Pigeon. when
she could eat no more.
Yes. and we shall be hungry for
; them tomorrow" cooed her husband
Il wish we could take some to our
nest"
I'll fix It so you may do that"
spoke Uncle Wiggily. Come on.
Johnnie and Billie: We'll make a box
of birch bark so the birds can carry
some acorns away with them"
This was soon done. and just as
the Band Tailed Pigeons were about
to fly away with the birch box Of
acorns carried between them, all Of
a sudden the Bob Cat sprang out Of
the bushes and tried TO nibbIe Uncle
Wiggily's ears.
But Wen soon make you go
awayi" cried the squirrel boys.
Come on. Uncle Wiggily: help Us
throw acorns at the Bob Cat"
And We'll help also!" cOOed the
Pigeons. Soon they were all throw
ing the hard acOrns at the bad Bob
Cat. The nuts hit him on the end
OF his soft and tender nose so that
he hOwled and ran away crying:
"Oh. I'll be good! I'll be good
/ won't nibble Uncle wiggily's ears"
And he didn't do any nibbling-at
( least. not that day.
The Pigeons had all the acorns
they wished TO eat and every one
was happy except. perhaps. the Bob
Cat. and he didn't deserve 10 be
And if the window curtain doesn't
roll out on the porch ROOF TO ,ook
at the cat playing hop scotch with
the policeman, I'll tell you next
about Uncle Wiggily and tho girl
bird
Copyright. 1921