SECOND WEEK IN AUGUST 



laurel bush, in which Ruby always hides her progeny for 

 several days after they leave the nest, and were industriously 

 fed there for a week or two, until they were able to feed 

 themselves. It is curious to watch the gradual change in 

 the posture of very young birds. When they first leave the 

 nest they have no idea of helping themselves, but sit quietly 

 on the bough appointed for each by its parents, with a gaping 

 mouth looking upwards for the food brought for them. 

 But in a few days the young bird learns to imitate the parents 

 in searching the ground for food, and the beak is lowered as 

 well as the eyes. This is the time in which it is so easy to 

 tame them, for they do not find it an easy task to supply 

 themselves, and are delighted to fill their hungry crops with 

 biscuit or bread, either of which is easily seen on the ground. 

 Drawing nearer daily to the friend who sits very quietly 

 near their retreat, 1 they are gradually persuaded first of all 

 to fly to a piece of cloth placed nearer and nearer to her 

 feet. This cloth is then raised to the knee, and the young 

 birds soon follow it, when the food is offered from the 

 hands, which they appear not to fear at all, and will then 

 follow their friend in all parts of the garden when in need 

 of a little extra food, coming to the call without fear. 

 Young birds tamed in this way are thoroughly fearless, 

 much more so than older birds which have become partially 

 tame, for these never quite lose their attitude of nervousness. 



1 See p. 168. 



287 



