22 Song Birds. 



is not at all too often to keep them really nice, and 

 nothing conduces more to a bird's own health, and 

 to the unruffled beauty of its plumage, than this 

 attention. The chief advantage, however, which 

 makes me advise it here, is the entire avoidance of 

 everything alarming. A strange hand coming near 

 the cage may be rather startling ; and it is seldom 

 that the birds are entirely fed and cared for by their 

 own mistress, to whom they are more accustomed. 

 To give admission merely into a nice fresh cage all 

 ready prepared for breakfast, is, however, an office 

 most ladies would rather like. 



11. Perhaps the most amusing plan, as the birds 

 grow tame, is that which I alluded to in my Gold- 

 finch's case to let the birds out for a short, brisk 

 flight while their cage is put ready ; and if an aviary 

 cage is used, which cannot be changed each day or 

 two, this plan is most convenient, as well as very 

 pleasant. My own room at these times presents a 

 droll scene ; as the birds being let out just at breakfast 

 time, all their attention is instantly directed to assist- 

 ing at mine ; and though there is a sort of under- 

 standing about not coming on the cloth, birds are 

 apt to evade it by a sudden spring ; and I remember 

 one morning three little culprits, one at the edge of 

 my breakfast -cup, another making dashes against the 

 loaf, and a third sipping, in a methodical manner, 

 some syrup from my plate. 



