Jane went on to describe the common type tern as a white bird with an orange-red bill. It was much smaller and thinner than the average gull.
Connie told about the turnstone she and Vevi had seen at the pond. Rosemary gave a long talk on the habits of the spotted sandpiper.
“Now it’s your turn, Vevi,” said Miss Gordon. “What bird will you tell us about?”
Vevi had made no preparation for the talk. She thought very fast.
“I’ll tell about a blackbird,” she announced.
The other Brownies hooted.
“A blackbird isn’t a water bird,” Jane said, flipping her long braids. “I guess you’ve been paying too much attention to turtles and little houses to think of the assignment.”
“No such thing,” Vevi defended herself. “I just didn’t have time, that’s all.”
“It really doesn’t matter,” said Miss Gordon quickly. “Vevi can make her report at our next beach meeting. At any rate, I had planned today to tell you how the ocean got its salt.”
“Vevi’s a tail-ender, all the same,” Jane teased. “I’ll bet she won’t have a report at the next meeting either.”