82 Song Birds. 



bright eves peeping out, is so extremely pretty half 

 seen amidst the green. 



24. The day hefore the young are expected to he 

 hatched, some grated hrea.d, and a finely- chopped up 

 hard-boiled egg should he put in the cage in a saucer. 

 This should ciliwys be given in the evening an hour 

 before the bird's usual roosting time, and again in 

 the morning as early as it can be done conveniently. 

 It is not essential to do this at sunrise eight or nine 

 o'clock will do ; but then the evening supply must 

 mrer be omitted, as its object, of course, is to provide 

 for the early hours, before the rest of the world are 

 up, although the small birds are. 



25. Nothing conduces more to the young birds* 

 health than being in a spot which catches the rising 

 sun. If they do not feather quickly it is rather a good 

 plan to sprinkle them sometimes on a warm sunny 

 morning with a few drops of water from a soft brush, 

 but if the old birds bathe this will not be necessary. 



As to the feeding of the young when they leave the 

 nest, to have pounded hemp, bread-crumbs and seed 

 scattered about the floor, is all I need recommend ; 

 till we come to the time when, the parents being 

 engaged with another nest, the poor little fledglings 

 have to be taken from them ; even then, however, 

 their being sent to reside in a cage that touches the 

 old birds' home, affords opportunity for the latter, if 

 they are so disposed, still to take notice of them. 



