72 Sony Birds. 



growth of the feathers as the warm (not scorching) 

 sunshine, such as flickers down through the leaves- 

 of some waving shruh ; and the fresh air and moisture 

 of the summer dew help the nestlings hoth in their 

 growth and feathering. 



Thus it was that our birds throve so well with their 

 nurseries out of doors. They had the early sunlight r 

 the sweet morning air, the dew, and the cheerfulness of 

 everything around, all keeping them well and happy, 

 till, indeed, I should now be quite afraid to say how 

 many young birds, year by year, used to grow up 

 with us. 



8. "When then was a young family old enough to> 

 leave the maternal wing, a small cage would be pro- 

 vided, or a division of the aviary prepared for them. 

 In whichever they were placed, we took care they 

 should have plenty of little round holes (like those 

 miserable holes for getting at seed and water), which 

 they could be fed through if their parents pleased. 

 "We used always to strew a good deal of crushed 

 hemp, and maw seed, and crumbs of stale bread, 

 upon the floor of the cage, as soon as ever the young 

 ones began to leave their nest and to hop about, so 

 that afterwards, the same plan being continued in 

 their own new cage, half the difficulty of teaching 

 them to eat was obviated. 



It is a good thing to accustom young birds to be 

 yery clean : baths in fine weather arejiot likely to be 



