154 
Birds and Flowers. 
how little heat birds can bear. I have this 
summer often had my birds in the window by me 
when the evening sun came on it ; and when it has 
not been strong enough for me to have the blinds 
down, I have known a Canary look as if it was 
going to faint. It was quite ill and powerless, 
and had to have air and cold water instantly. 
When people come in therefore from afternoon 
walks sometimes, and find “ that poor bird in a 
fit again,” I think that they had better consider 
how the sun has been. 
The sunshine birds do rejoice in, is that of the 
early morning. When living wild we see that 
later in the day, generally, they retire to shady 
trees, and only re-appear to sun themselves before 
bedtime, in the cold months of autumn. 
The morning sunshine, however, is the very 
best thing for all birds. They plume themselves 
in it, and bathe, and sing and are very happy. 
The little nest-birds even get on far the faster 
when they can have the benefit of its warmth. 
Darkness, too, of all things is the worst, both for 
birds and animals. 
If there is a nice cheerful eastern window, 
what can be much pleasanter than to establish 
a bird-cage there ? What are called “ cottage 
