U2 
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
rently as to its security. Leaving them undisturbed, 
the experiment answered my expectations ; they took 
possession of the hat, built, the hen laid, and hatched 
a brood, to the number of six. When the young 
birds were three days old, the habitation, with its 
contents, was carefully removed, and placed in a 
convenient situation in a room. The female bird 
did not attempt to leave the nest ; the male flew about, 
much alarmed. At last he was caught, and placed 
on a perch near the nest. The following morning, 
the window was left open, when he flew out, but 
quickly returned, and appeared by his actions as if 
endeavouring to persuade his partner to leave her 
station. She, however, seeing there was no interrup- 
tion offered her, remained very quiet and contented 
with her tender offspring — which appeared, at last, to 
convince her mate he had nothing to fear, for, after 
a mutual understanding, he went in search of provi- 
sions for the little family. Returning shortly, with 
some insect in his beak, which was soon divided 
among the nurslings, he soon became familiar, pick- 
ing up whatever was thrown to him. Two of the 
young birds, when old enough to take care of them- 
selves, were placed with my other songsters. The 
