66 Song Birds. 



to bathe, the recover}* was rapid, and the bird now 

 is a very fine and healthy one, and has built and 

 hatched this summer. 



It is very touching the way the sick birds cling 

 to one in their troubles ; they lie looking at one for 

 help so pitifully, taking so gently the offered food, 

 and always seeming disposed to nestle so closely to 

 one. After all I have said, however, I can but 

 repeat my conviction that cleanliness, watercress, 

 and abstinence from messes are the best means of 

 preserving a bird in health ; and if, after all, it does 

 become ill, keeping it very warm not roasted before 

 the fire, but nestled in snugly is the best mode of 

 both comforting and curing it. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



BREEDING IN AVIARIES. 



1. THE most enjoyable arrangement that I ever 

 knew for the cage birds building, was a plan adopted 

 for my birds, when I was a child. In some little 

 details I may perhaps make mistakes ; but as the 

 birds belonged to me, and always were great pets, 

 I "do not think that any important thing will have 

 ..been forgotten. 



We had at that time a good many birds kept in 



