IX 
HIS EDUCATION 
THE young bird has to be educated, or trained 
for his life, just as we do, though not exactly 
in the same way. 
He does not have to know arithmetic and 
history; and what he needs of geography is 
only the road to the South, where he spends his 
winters. 
I suppose the first thing he learns is to fly. 
You have heard, perhaps, that the old birds 
drive their young out of the nest. But do not 
believe any such thing, for it is not true. I 
have seen many little birds leave the nest, and 
almost every one flew when the parents were 
away after food. 
The parents sometimes try to coax a nestling 
who is afraid to try his wings, like an oriole I 
knew of. All the young orioles had flown 
except this one, and he seemed to be too timid 
to try. He stood on the edge of the nest, and 
called and cried, but did not use his wings. 
