Food. 41 



evening we shut the windows and let the poor Robin 

 out, shortly after which he was found drenched in a 

 watering pot, which was standing near my plant- 

 stand with a little water only (very luckily as it 

 happened,) remaining at the bottom. He had certainly 

 not been out ten minutes before he had discovered it, 

 and enjoyed his bath. 



I find it very difficult to decide what bird is nicest, 

 Bobby certainly is an uncommon favourite, one never 

 speaks to him without such an instant answer, and 

 he sings so sweetly. It would be, however, a real 

 grief to me, if writing thus of my Eobin led any one to 

 attempt catching old birds to keep ; where one might 

 be happy, I am certain, a thousand would be miserable, 

 and I should feel a traitor to the whole race of Robins. 

 If they are kept, let them be taken from nests, and 

 let them hop about and amuse themselves in a room, 

 and then, I think, they will be quite at home and 

 happy. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 FOOD. 



1. THE question of food is often made more trouble- 

 some than it need be, by the idea that the different 

 kinds of birds require different sorts, either of seed or 

 paste. The simplest plan is generally best ; and in 



