80 Song Birds. 



watching, they are very often also the least familiar, 

 and the most ready to take offence. The penalty, too, 

 of their negligence is serious in the first days of 

 hatching, no less than murdered nestlings. After a 

 little practice, however, the general look of things 

 shows if all is right. A real good bird for sitting and 

 bringing up her young is a great acquisition, and 

 should always have every advantage, and should she 

 -even be an inferior bird she would be invaluable, with 

 first-rate eggs substituted for her own. 



If the hen bird should have fits while sitting, as 

 Is very likely, especially in cold weather, it is best 

 to put her very gently in a warm bath : laying her 

 afterwards on a piece of heated flannel. The greatest 

 are is necessary, however, not to hurt the bird while 

 holding it in the hands. 



20. While birds are sitting, the supply of food should 

 always be very abundant. I am doubtful myself if 

 the hard-boiled egg is really a good addition ; bread, 

 well baked, and allowed to get rather stale, answers 

 very well mixed with pounded hemp -seed some say 

 pounded rape and Mr. Kidd, who is a great authority 

 in these matters, recommends bread and milk. In 

 that case the bread should be finely grated, and cold 

 milk poured on just enough to moisten it. My birds 

 have, nevertheless, often done very well with no 

 change from their ordinary food, except an additional 

 allowance of pounded hemp, with a little maw-seed. 



