THE BIRD-ROOM 127 



After all had bathed, and pluming and 

 dressing of feathers were going on every- 

 where, I brought out my special treats. In 

 summer there were huckleberries for the clar- 

 ine ; pears for the orchard oriole ; sorrel, or 

 chickweed, or plantain for the seed-eaters. In 

 winter, slices of apple and soaked currants 

 for all. These I placed in the cages. The 

 bird would go in and taste, and make sure 

 that he was supplied, and then come out and 

 play about, try all the perches, and amuse 

 himself in many ways, while I sat on the far- 

 ther side of the room, note-book in hand, 

 and took notes of all the funny and serious 

 things that went on among them. I remained 

 motionless and perfectly silent, wishing not 

 to have them notice me, and they often did 

 seem to forget my presence entirely. 



When I started my bird colony, I used to 

 leave the doors open till late afternoon. But 

 I found a good deal of trouble in getting the 

 birds back, because before dark (on a winter 

 day as early as four o'clock) each bird settled 

 himself somewhere it might be in and it 

 might be out of the cage and appeared be- 

 wildered if forced to move. As I was obliged 



