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

Chapter XXXVII · Chapter 37

Chapter 37 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children is here in full — 98 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Burgess Bird Book for Children
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Peter Rabbit likes winter.
At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.
Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.
You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.
It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Burgess Bird Book for Children

Chapter XXXVII · Chapter 37

Chapter 37 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children is here in full — 98 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Peter Rabbit likes winter.
/ˈpiːtər ˈræbət laɪks ˈwɪntər/
Line 2
At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.
Line 3
Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.
Line 4
You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.
Line 5
It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.
/ɪt ɪz æt sʌtʃ taɪmz ðæt ˈpiːtər ɡets ˈɪntuː ˈmɪstʃəf fɔːr ðer ɪz noʊ bɑːrk hiː laɪks ˈbetər ðæn ðæt ʌv jʌŋ fruːt triːz/

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.

bark noun US /bɑːrk/

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading “You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.”

fat adjective US /fæt/

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading “Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.”

Fox noun US /fɑːks/

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading “Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.”

fruit noun US /fruːt/

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading “It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.”

gets noun US /ɡets/

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading “It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.”

likes noun US /laɪks/

plural of “like” — a similar kind

From this reading “Peter Rabbit likes winter.”

mischief noun US /ˈmɪstʃəf/

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading “It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.”

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 “Peter Rabbit likes winter.”

All words in this reading · 67

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

barknounUS /bɑːrk/

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

doesn't

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

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

eatverbUS /iːt/

take in solid food

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

fatadjectiveUS /fæt/

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

FoxnounUS /fɑːks/

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

fruitnounUS /fruːt/

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

getsnounUS /ɡets/

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

growverbUS /ɡroʊ/

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

isn't

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

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

likesnounUS /laɪks/

plural of “like” — a similar kind

From this reading Peter Rabbit likes winter.

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

mischiefnounUS /ˈmɪstʃəf/

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

PerhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

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 Peter Rabbit likes winter.

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 Peter Rabbit likes winter.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

Reddy

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

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

snownounUS /snoʊ/

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading It is at such times that Peter gets into mischief, for there is no bark he likes better than that of young fruit trees.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Perhaps it is a good thing that he does, for he might grow too fat to keep out of the way of Reddy Fox.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Peter Rabbit likes winter.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading At least he doesn't mind it so very much, even though he has to really work for a living.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading You see when the snow is deep Peter is forced to eat whatever he can, and very often there isn't much of anything for him but the bark of young trees.

Chapter 37 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess holds 98 sentences, grouped into 20 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 37 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children contain?

Chapter 37 holds 98 sentences of The Burgess Bird Book for Children, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 37 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 98 sentences, grouped into 20 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 37 of The Burgess Bird Book for Children?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 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 37 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 37 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.