202 DENTIROSTRES. 



den ; we placed them in a large cage, in which were several 

 other little birds of different species ; their entrance was 

 immediately hailed with great delight by a robin, who, with 

 many lively attitudes and gestures, uttered frequently his 

 note of surprise crackrrrack ! The little Fly-catchers, which 

 were still in the plumage of young nestlings, namely, mottled 

 with grey, white, and brown, and tail-less, mounted them- 

 selves on one of the uppermost perches, where they sat 

 quietly side by side. 



After they had been some time in the cage, a sudden 

 stir was observed among them, and a bird hastily entered 

 the window near which the cage was placed, alighted upon 

 it, and as hastily retreated. In the course of a few minutes 

 this was repeated, and it proved to be one of the parent 

 birds, whose affection had traced the little ones to their 

 place of imprisonment, and who was now supplying them with 

 food. We were highly delighted at this circumstance, as 

 it promised a supply of proper food for the nestlings, such 

 as we could not ourselves have provided. We had now only 

 to take the precaution of having the window constantly 

 open during the day to admit the visits of this interesting 

 little creature, who continued, day after day, to supply the 

 young ones with food, notwithstanding the interruptions 

 that might be supposed to be caused by a large family 

 passing continually in and out, as the cage stood in the 

 drawing-room. 



Apparently, the task of feeding the nestlings was performed 

 by one alone, probably the female, as only one bird entered 

 the room, while her mate, who accompanied her constantly 

 in her flight, always waited for her outside the window, 

 either upon the roof of the house or on a neighbouring 

 tree. The young ones usually appeared aware of the ap- 

 proach of the parent, and were on the alert, and eager to 

 receive the expected food, some seconds before the appear- 



