So , instead of flying straight to that old nest , he first flew over the tree so that he could look down into it . Right away he saw something that made him gasp and blink his eyes . It was quite large and white , and it looked -- it looked very much indeed like an egg ! Do you wonder that Blacky gasped and blinked ? Here was snow on the ground , and Rough Brother North Wind and Jack Frost had given no hint that they were even thinking of going back to the Far North . The idea of any one laying an egg at this time of year ! Blacky flew over to a tall pine-tree to think it over . `` Must be it was a little lump of snow , '' thought he . `` Yet if ever I saw an egg , that looked like one . Jumping grasshoppers , how good an egg would taste right now ! '' You know Blacky has a weakness for eggs . The more he thought about it , the hungrier he grew . Several times he almost made up his mind to fly straight over there and make sure , but he did n't quite dare . If it were an egg , it must belong to somebody , and perhaps it would be best to find out who . Suddenly Blacky shook himself . `` I must be dreaming , '' said he . `` There could n't , there just could n't be an egg at this time of year , or in that old tumble-down nest ! I 'll just fly away and forget it . '' So he flew away , but he could n't forget it . He kept thinking of it all day , and when he went to sleep that night he made up his mind to have another look at that old nest .
CHAPTER II : XXXXX Makes Sure `` As true as ever I 've cawed a caw That was a new-laid egg I saw . ''
Blacky Brother Frost North Right day first night pine-tree year