INTRODUCTION. 9 



of which should be ahout sixty degrees. In the 

 middle of the day, if the sun shines, and the air is 

 dry, the window may be opened for a few hours. 

 Their diet, at this time, ought to be very nourish- 

 ing, mth, occasionally, a little green food; such 

 as lettuce leaves, lettuce-seed, chickw^eed, cherries, 

 a ripe soft pear or a roasted apple ; also, a little 

 maw-seed, as it tends to cheer and keep them in 

 spirits. 



The nest of a bird is a wonderful fabric when 

 we consider the architect. Dh-ected by instinct, 

 it chooses materials, and aiTanges them in a man- 

 ner best suited for the purposes of incubation, — 

 and this according to the size of the bird. How 

 different is the structiu'e of the nest of a wi'en and 

 that of an eagle ! The nest of an eagle is formed 

 of sticks laid in a horizontal position, upon which 

 a few stalks of fern are laid, and on this the eggs 

 lie, exposed to the air, when the female is absent. 

 That of a wren is a large bunch of moss, artfully 

 woven together, and covered all round, except a 

 small hole near the top, and lined with soft and 

 warm materials. Here the pea-like eggs of the 

 wren lie, T^ithout being affected by the cold when 

 the female is absent in search of food ; for the fe- 

 male never sits constant, till within a few days of 



a2 



