Food. 53 



sieve. The birds will not touch it as long as it is 

 wet. 



Hemp-seed is often the better for being bruised ; 

 that is, just slightly cracked ; for very young birds, 

 which chiefly live on it till after their first moult, 

 this braising is quite essential. 



12. In full-grown birds, unless they are feeding 

 their young or moulting, or have remarkably weak 

 bills, it is better, I think, to put on the drag of 

 cracking, rather than letting them swallow the seed 

 as fast as they can do it. It is very amusing to see 

 the Goldfinches busy with a hemp -seed ; they gene- 

 rally go up on the perch to eat it, and after a little 

 rapid turning the seed about they shut up their 

 mouths completely, and sit regarding you with the 

 most preternatural air of occupation and considera- 

 tion. While, however, you are speculating (as you 

 suppose the bird is) on the consequences of a holt, 

 suddenly the seed reappears, and you find the delay 

 had only been in the hope that the seed would soften. 

 We may suppose it does, for the next proceeding is to 

 place various pieces with elaborate care on the perch, 

 which then quickly (and finally) disappear. I have 

 had birds deposit the precious morsels on my fingers 

 many a time, to be taken care of while they eat the 

 rest. Bread crumbs -are very good for all birds as a 

 change of food. I think that stale bread grated is 

 the best way to give it. 



