THE STORY OF NAN 



to give it; but we '11 try milk," was my rather pessimis- 

 tic remark. 



So we put the tiny thing into a candy-box lined with 

 soft paper, took a dropper and proceeded to squeeze a 

 few drops of milk into his throat every time that he 

 opened his bill to peep. Fie was surprised but he was 

 also hungry, and milk being the only thing offered he 

 accepted it; then snuggling down under a covering of 

 cotton he went to sleep with his head upright ready to 

 expand that yellow gap instantly for further feeding. 

 After twenty minutes of peace came more peeps which 

 continued until more milk was forthcoming. In this 

 manner we gave the baby his bottle every twenty min- 

 utes for an hour and three-quarters when we began to 

 feel that food of more staying qualities was demanded. 

 Looking in the bird-book, we learned that equal parts 

 of potato, carrot and hard-boiled eggs grated and mixed 

 together made an ideal diet for young birds; so every 

 time the youngster cried, which was every time he woke, 

 this food was pushed down his throat on the blunt end 

 of a quill toothpick. He always knew when he had 



i57 



