Here is some corn for the biddies ; and , after we have fed them , we will look for eggs , and so may find a brownie or two . '' Such a clatter as there was when they came to the barnyard ; for every thing was just awake , and in the best spirits . Ducks were paddling off to the pond ; geese to the meadow ; and meek gray guinea-hens tripping away to hunt bugs in the garden . A splendid cock stood on the wall , and crowed so loud and clear that all the neighboring chanticleers replied . The motherly hens clucked and scratched with their busy broods about them , or sat and scolded in the coops because the chicks would gad abroad . Doves cooed on the sunny roof , and smoothed their gleaming feathers . Daisy 's donkey nibbled a thistle by the wall , and a stately peacock marched before the door with all his plumage spread . It made Daisy laugh to see the airs the fowls put on as she scattered corn , and threw meal and water to the chicks . Some pushed and gobbled ; some stood meekly outside the crowd , and got what they could ; others seized a mouthful , and ran away to eat it in a corner . The chicks got into the pan entirely , and tumbled one over the other in their hurry to eat ; but the mammas saw that none went hungry . And the polite cock waited upon them in the most gentlemanly manner , making queer little clucks and gurgles as if he said : `` Allow me , madam , to offer you this kernel ; '' or , `` Here , my dear , try that bit . '' And sometimes he pecked a little , with a loud quaver , evidently saying , `` Come , come , children , behave yourselves , and do n't eat like pigs . '' `` What is she saying ? '' asked Daisy , pointing to an old gray hen in a black turban , who was walking about alone , muttering to herself , as hens often do in their promenades . `` She says a cat has made a nest , and hatched three kits up on the loft , near her own nest ; and she does n't like it , because their mewing annoys her , '' said Wee , after listening a minute . `` How nice ! let 's go and find them . But do you learn anything about the fairies from the hen 's chat ? '' `` No : they have been so busy setting , they have had no time for picnics yet . But they will let us know , if they discover any . ''
In the barn , the cows were being milked ; and XXXXX had a mugful of it , warm and sweet , out of the foaming pail .
Daisy brownie chanticleers donkey feathers fowls guinea-hens minute plumage thistle