We just HAVE to come south. It isn't because we
want to, but because we must! There is nothing else for us to do."
"Then I don't see what you want to make your home in such a place
for," said practical Peter. "I should think you would make it where
you can live all the year around."
"I was born up there, and I love it just as you love the dear Old
Briar-patch," replied Mrs. Quack simply. "It is home, and there
is no place like home. Besides, it is a very beautiful and a very
wonderful place in summer. There is everything that Ducks and Geese
love. We have all we want of the food we love best. Everywhere is
shallow water with tall grass growing in it."
"Huh!" interrupted Peter, "I wouldn't think much of a place like
that." "That's because you don't know what is good," snapped Jerry
Muskrat. "It would suit me," he added, with shining eyes.
"There are the dearest little islands just made for safe nesting-places,"
continued Mrs. Quack, without heeding the interruptions. "And the
days are long, and it is easy to hide, and there is nothing to
fear, for two-legged creatures with terrible guns never come there."
"If there is nothing to fear, why do you care about places to hide?"
demanded Peter.
"Well, of course, we have enemies, just as you do here, but they
are natural enemies,--Foxes and Minks and Hawks and Owls," explained
Mrs. Quack. "Of course, we have to watch out for them and have
places where we can hide from them, but it is our wits against their
wits, and it is our own fault if we get caught.
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