NESTING-HOUSES 59 



the young bird. One should approach slowly and 

 lift the bird gently without any suggestion of grab- 

 bing. It will be useless to return the bird to its 

 nest, but some plan such as previously suggested 

 must be tried. 



Kind of Food, — While even in cases of this 

 kind it may be necessary to feed the young for 

 a little while, instances will sometimes occur with 

 wounded or deserted birds in which they must be 

 fed entirely by hand till they are able to care for 

 themselves. Meal-worms are the best food for in- 

 sectivorous birds. " Ants' eggs " and mocking- 

 bird food, sold at the bird-stores, may also be used. 

 Nearly all birds will eat grasshoppers and hairless 

 caterpillars. Robins are fond of earthworms, and 

 these will be eaten also by many other birds. 

 Spiders seem to have a stimulating effect on the 

 young birds. Bread and milk and the yolks of 

 hard-boiled eggs will serve as a good substitute 

 for insect food. Finely chewed nuts and cooked 

 meat and chopped lean meat will also be relished. 

 The mixture used for rearing young martins, 

 described on page 36, may also be used for in- 

 sectivorous birds. It will probably be better to 

 use several kinds of food, rather than to rely 

 on one. While caring for the young birds, one 

 must remember that they cannot pick up food 



