CITIZEN BIRD The apple trees were in full bloom the day that the Doctor again found time to be with the children.

It was exactly the kind of a day that birds like.

The ground was soft enough to let the earthworms come up to breathe, so that Robins could catch them easily, and the air was full of all kinds of insects newly out from their long winter sleep in their soft cocoon beds, much to the delight of the Swallows and Flycatchers.
It was also a beautiful day for House People to watch their bird neighbors; for it was mild but not too bright, and every one knows how it hurts the eyes to look at flying birds with the sun shining in them.
Olive, Dodo, and Nat went out first and found Rap waiting.

The Doctor followed, carrying something in his hand in a black leather case.

When they arrived at the old tree in the orchard, he told them to look up.
There was the perch arranged as it had been when he was a boy.