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The Burgess Bird Book for Children
The Burgess Bird Book for Children

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children is here in full — 117 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Burgess Bird Book for Children
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.
Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”
With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.
On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.
He just HAD to find out if there was anything new over there.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Burgess Bird Book for Children

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children is here in full — 117 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.
Line 2
Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”
/pərˈhæps aɪ ʃʊd seɪ wʌt hiː wɑːnts ʌv ðem ˌɪnˈsted ʌv waɪ hiː wɑːnts ðem fɔːr waɪ ˈeni wʌn ʃʊd wɑːnt ˈeniθɪŋ tuː duː wɪð sneɪks ɪz mɔːr ðen aɪ kæn ˌʌndərˈstænd/
Line 3
With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.
Line 4
On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.
Line 5
He just HAD to find out if there was anything new over there.
/hiː dʒʌst hæd tuː faɪnd aʊt ɪf ðer wɑːz ˈeniθɪŋ nuː ˈoʊvər ðer/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Flycatcher noun US /ˈflaɪkætʃər/

any of a large group of small songbirds that feed on insects taken on the wing

From this reading ““I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.”

Jenny noun US /ˈdʒeni/

United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)

From this reading ““I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.”

Orchard noun US /ˈɔːrtʃərd/

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading “On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.”

Rabbit noun US /ˈræbət/

any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading ““I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.”

Snake noun US /sneɪk/

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading ““I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.”

Snakes noun US /sneɪks/

plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading “Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.””

temptation noun US /temˈteɪʃən/

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading “On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.”

Wren noun US /ren/

English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)

From this reading ““I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.”

All words in this reading · 92

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/

eat an early morning meal

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

Briar-patch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

can't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

cast-offadjective

thrown away

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/

clothing in general

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

couldn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

Cresty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading He just HAD to find out if there was anything new over there.

FlycatchernounUS /ˈflaɪkætʃər/

any of a large group of small songbirds that feed on insects taken on the wing

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

ForestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

GreennounUS /ɡriːn/

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He just HAD to find out if there was anything new over there.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

insideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

JennynounUS /ˈdʒeni/

United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He just HAD to find out if there was anything new over there.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

OrchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

PerhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

PeternounUS /ˈpiːtər/

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

RabbitnounUS /ˈræbət/

any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/

elude, especially in a baffling way

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

runverbUS /rʌn/

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

SnakenounUS /sneɪk/

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

SnakesnounUS /sneɪks/

plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

stopverbUS /stɑːp/

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

to-morrow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

wantsnounUS /wɑːnts/

plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading With this Jenny Wren disappeared inside her house, and there was nothing for Peter to do but once more start for the dear Old Briar-patch.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading On his way he couldn't resist the temptation to run over to the Green Forest, which was just beyond the Old Orchard.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Perhaps I should say WHAT he wants of them instead of WHY he wants them, for why any one should want anything to do with Snakes is more then I can understand.”

WrennounUS /ren/

English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I can't stop to talk to you any longer now, Peter Rabbit,” said Jenny Wren, “but if you will come over here bright and early to-morrow morning, while I am out to get my breakfast, I will tell you about Cresty the Flycatcher and why he wants the cast-off clothes of some of the Snake family.

Chapter 7 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess holds 117 sentences, grouped into 24 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 7 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children contain?

Chapter 7 holds 117 sentences of The Burgess Bird Book for Children, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 117 sentences, grouped into 24 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 7 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Burgess Bird Book for Children

Common questions about reading The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Burgess Bird Book for Children?

Yes. All 5090 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3074 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Burgess Bird Book for Children is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3074, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Burgess Bird Book for Children take to read?

About 424 minutes of reading across 1018 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Burgess Bird Book for Children section by section

How to work through The Burgess Bird Book for Children section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Burgess Bird Book for Children to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Burgess Bird Book for Children

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Burgess Bird Book for Children, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Lipperty-lipperty-lip
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Burgess Bird Book for Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scampered
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Burgess Bird Book for Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Peter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Burgess Bird Book for Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rabbit
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Burgess Bird Book for Children; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.