The birds gave concerts early every morning and sometimes, too, they would give an extra one just after the sun went down in the afternoon. Jack and Evelyn loved to hear the birds sing, and they told daddy that they were really learning to know the various songs of the different birds.

"I have meant for some time," said daddy, "to tell you a story about a ball the starlings gave some time ago. Now the starlings are not singers. They can only chirp and twitter, but they love music and enjoy hearing all the other birds. They are great friends with the robins, and when they suggested giving a ball the robins were at once ready to help them with it." "I don't believe we know what starlings are. We may have seen them and not have known what they were," said Jack.

"Starlings," continued daddy, "are about the same size as robins. They are black, or they appear to be black. In reality their feathers look different colors in different lights. But they usually appear black, as, of course, they don't come so very near to people. They are not nearly so tame as the robins. They have yellow beaks. And another thing about them is that they are very fond of their own kind. They travel always in huge flocks, for they love to be together.

"But to continue about the ball. The starlings said that they would like to give a party, and the robins thought it was an excellent plan.

"So invitations were sent out to all the other birds around. And they all accepted with great pleasure.

"Ever so many were invited. There were the chickadees, the song sparrows, the chipping sparrows, the orioles, the thrushes, and even the catbirds were asked.

"Of course, great preparations were made for the ball. The robins said that they would give the music, for, of course, the starlings couldn't have a ball without music.

"And you should have seen the birds dancing. They danced until they were completely out of breath. The robins sang lovely waltzes and they whistled for the jigs.

"Then, when the starlings thought that their guests had had enough of the dancing, they suggested that they should all have some supper. They had their supper served in little moss cups for each bird, and it did taste so good out of such a dainty, pretty cup."

"I suppose they had little worms, didn't they?" asked Evelyn.

"Yes, indeed," said daddy, "but that is what they think is delicious."