He had just flown against a window, not understanding about the glass, and had a headache in consequence.
"They _never will keep cats_," insisted the little Swallow boldly.
"How do _you_ know ?" asked the birds in one breath.
"Because they keep _dogs_!" said Bankey, twittering with glee; "two nice dogs.

One big and buff and bushy, with a much finer tail than the proudest fox you ever saw; and the other small and white with some dark spots, and as quick as a squirrel.

This one has a short tail that sticks up like a Wren's and a nose like a weasel; one ear stands up and the other hangs down; and he has a _terrible_ wink in one eye.

Even a poor little Bank Swallow knows that where one of _these_ dogs lives the Bird People need not fear either cats or rats!" "I love dogs," said the black-and-white Downy Woodpecker, running up a telegraph pole in search of grubs; "dogs have bones to eat and I like to pick bones, especially in winter." "Me too," chimed in the Nuthatch, who walks chiefly head down and wears a fashionable white vest and black necktie with a gray coat; "and sometimes they leave bits of fat about.

Yes, dogs are very friendly things indeed." Then a joyful murmur ran all along the wires, and Farmer Griggs, who was driving past, said to himself, "Powerful lot of 'lectricity on to-day; should think them Swallers would get shock't and kil't." But it was only the birds whispering together; agreeing to return to their old haunts at Orchard Farm and give the House Children a chance to learn that there are no such things as "common" birds..