4 
NATURE NOTES. 
invariably chose to return to his own residence (built, I imagine, 
specially for nightingales), with its canvas top and thick wooden 
bars, rather than adopt the far handsomer one I had provided 
for him. 
I should like to give a word of counsel to bird keepers as 
to affording shade to their caged pets. Any of our English 
warblers, accustomed as they are to the subdued light under the 
leafy boughs of trees, must suffer great distress when placed in 
the glare of sunlight hour after hour. Canaries may not mind 
it so much, as they are artificially reared and more used to our 
home life, but I think that even they would welcome a covering 
over part of the cage to afford their eyes a little respite from the 
bright light in which they are often placed, when hanging near 
a window. If my three birds remain in health until next spring, 
I expect to be regaled with some delightful music for a little 
while until I can see my way to let them at liberty. This must 
be prepared for by hanging the birds’ cages outside the house 
for a week or more, possibly under the branches of a tree, until 
the birds have learnt the sights and sounds of out-of-door life, 
have in a measure learnt also the general look of the garden, so 
that they will not be scared when they first perch amongst the 
branches, and when hungry they will know where to come for 
food and water. If, after an excursion hither and thither they 
do return to roost in their old homes it will prove very pleasantly 
that they are happy there, and one can then retain them with 
an easy mind. 
Eliza Brightwen. 
ACORNS. 
MONO the numerous and varied forms taken by the 
fruit and seed vessels of trees and plants in general, 
few are more beautiful, and at the same time simpler, 
than that of the oak.* This indeed is so universally 
recognized that acorns have for ages been utilized for all kinds 
of decorative purposes. 
Broadly speaking, the outline might be described as oval, 
but it varies so much that in many cases the term would not be 
strictly applicable. Like the apple, Spanish chestnut, and many 
other trees, each individual oak produces fruit of a certain fixed 
shape, which year by year is strictly adhered to. On one tree 
we find the acorns all of the typical egg shape, with only 
occasional trifling modifications ; on another they are com- 
paratively short and wide, with a broad base, and a decided pit 
or depression surrounding the apex ; while the produce of a 
The common British oak {Querats paUiitatlaia) is the species referred to. 
