“Good morning, Sara,” he said in a low tone, when he reached her side.  “A glorious morning, isn’t it?  Avrillia thought you would enjoy seeing the Birds fed, and the children at their winter sports.  Avrillia herself is very busy just now; the suet gave out and she’s gone to order some more.  But I daresay she’ll have time to speak to you after a while.  Meantime, I’ll tell you who they are:  it isn’t polite to introduce them to anybody.  Indeed, I must tell you that their ways are very peculiar, and they are very easily offended; so try to be careful.  For instance, you must never speak aloud in their presence, but only behind your hand, in a whisper; and if you wish to make the best impression, do not seem to see them at all.  Also, if you should care to partake of any of the food, remember not to touch it with your hands:  that is the very worst of bad manners.  Always take it with your beak—­I mean your mouth.”

Sara stood perfectly still, watching; never had she been so charmed and astonished.

“Who are they?” she asked, after a moment.

“Well, the tallest one, with the high blue beaver hat, is the Popinjay,” said Pirlaps.  “He’s just about the cock of the walk, and he’s quite self-important and touchy.  The one with the very long bill, and the stiff, stumpy tail that he uses for a cane, is the Redpecker.  The one in the checked suit, with the black necktie, yellow satin sleeve-linings, and white patch on his coat-tail, is the Snicker.  He’s full of fun and a good fellow, but rather crude—­for he’ll sometimes talk to you a little if he’s sure the others aren’t looking.  Ants are his favorite food, but Avrillia didn’t put up any this summer, so I had to send Yassuh down to the colony to get one of my uncles for him.  Poor Uncle,” said Pirlaps, looking very sad for a moment, “I hated to do it; but he was only a half-uncle and quite old, and lately he had grown so thin that he was hardly more than a three-eighths one.  However, he was plenty for the Snicker,” he added more cheerfully, “he’s not as exacting as most of them.  The little lady in brown, with the bustle, is a When; like the Snicker, she’s really quite a charming little person, though of an interrogative turn of mind; and they all frown on her sociable ways.  The fierce-looking old gentleman with the Roman nose is the Squawk; he has a worse disposition, even, than the Popinjay.  That beautiful little lady with the deep blue velvet cloak and the vest that looks like ploughed fields in March, is the Skybird; she is lovely and gentle, and reminds me of Avrillia.  But she’s quite absent-minded.  Besides, she’s very careful of her manners; so don’t expect her to speak to you.  Now come on, and watch them eat.”

Sara was very curious, but a little timid, the visitors looked so large and so strange; so she held tight to Pirlaps’ hand as they stole carefully up to the group and stopped near the table.  The Popinjay, the Squawk, the Redpecker and the Skybird went on eating as if nothing had happened, so Sara felt sure she had been sufficiently polite; but the little When, who was hopping about from one side of the table to the other, cast a bright, questioning glance at her that made her whisper, behind her hand, and under her breath, “Next August!” And then she was sure she heard the Snicker wink.