This hat sees a lot of action

I was quietly working, when there was a bird-window thump, on the north window. No one ever flies into the only, small, north window, and it’s not shielded. Not a terrible, dire, sickening thump, but I thought I should check, anyways.

There was a chickadee under the window, motionless, wings splayed awkwardly, beak and eyes open, feet clutching a chunk of the brown leaves that it fell on.

It went straight into the hat. All birds in trouble around here get the hat treatment.

I know from watching them recover that they are quite helpless for several minutes, and they can get all their functions back, but they come back in stages. The best thing to do with a stunned bird is put it somewhere warm, dark, and safe for 20-30 minutes, then give it the opportunity to fly away.

I couldn’t help peeking.

Feeling better?

It seemed to perk up, righted itself, moved around in the hat, but I was determined to give it a full 20 minutes and sat beside it, waiting.

It had other plans. I saw the hat move, right next to me, but before I could even react, the bird came shooting out, apparently in flight even before leaving the hat. It flew upstairs.

I opened all the doors. It was collapsed in a windowsill, panting.