Vill 
HIS FIRST FLIGHT 
Wuen young birds are in the nest they are 
not very pretty. But when they are nearly 
feathered, and sit up on the edge, exercising 
their wings, and getting ready to fly, they are 
lovely to look at. Their feathers are more flutty 
and fresh than those of the old birds. 
At that time they have not learned to be afraid 
of us, and if we do not frighten them by rough- 
ness, loud talking, or quick movements, we can 
often get near enough to see them well. They 
will sit up and look at us without fear. 
Then some day, all at once, a young bird will 
begin to flap his wings, and off he will go, flut- 
tering very hard, beating his wings, and trying 
to reach the next tree. 
Sometimes he will reach it, and perch on a 
twig, and sit quite still a long time, tired with 
his first flight. Then the parents will come and 
feed him, and after a while he will fly again. 
This time he will go farther. 
