152 BIRD-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 



they were five or six days old removed them 

 gently into it, as the common sized nests, when 

 they grow older, would prove too small for them. 

 When the young are hatched increase the egg 

 to one half, or more ; the whole of it as before. 

 Some give only the yolk, this is wrong; when 

 very young the yolk is too heating and rich for 

 them. Add to this a slice of good baker's bread, 

 moistened with pure water; the parents will 

 then feed with the three together.^ Be careful 

 that the bread is not sour. If there are four or 

 five young, they may require fresh egg and bread 

 in the afternoon, as they grow older. Give them 

 fresh bread and egg every morning, as soon after 

 sunrise as is convenient; and, if the weather is 

 warm, about noon, remove what may be in the 

 saucer; rinse it with water, and give them fresh 

 egg and bread. The male takes an active part 

 in the feeding of the young whenever they are 

 hatched, but the female alone sits on them ; and 

 when they get large, and begin to feather, she 

 will sit by them, or on the side of the nest at 

 night. When they are about ten days old, (as 

 before mentioned,) she will leave the care alto- 



* I have seen a parent bird take a pick of the yolk, of the white, 

 and of the bread, to feed a bird not many hours old. 



