"How can birds stay under water and still sing?" asked Johnny Chuck.

"Ho, ho, ho! Ha, ha, ha!"

Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck whirled around, to find Jerry Muskrat
peeping up at them from a hole in the bank almost under their feet.

[Illustration: "Ho, ho, ho! That's the best joke this spring!" shouted
Jerry Muskrat.]

"Ho, ho, ho! That's the best joke this spring!" shouted Jerry Muskrat,
and laughed until he had to hold his sides. "Birds under water! Ho,
ho, ho!"




IV

JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS OUT WHO THE SWEET SINGERS ARE


Johnny Chuck couldn't keep away from the Smiling Pool. No, Sir, Johnny
Chuck couldn't keep away from the Smiling Pool. Ever since he and
Peter Rabbit had gone over there looking for the sweet singers, who
every night and part of the day told all who would listen how glad
they were that Mistress Spring had come to the Green Meadows and the
Green Forest, Johnny Chuck had had something on his mind. And this is
why he couldn't keep away from the Smiling Pool.