38 



themselves, and wliich pout for whole years if they 

 are not humoured on this point. Others sing faintly, 

 and display their powers only when they can try their 

 strength against a rival. It is very important to dis- 

 tribute regularly to singing birds the simple allowance 

 of fresh food which is intended for the day. By this 

 means they wiU sing every day equally, because they 

 will eat uniformly, and not pick the best one day and 

 be obliged to put up with the refuse the next. 



