SANCTUARY 263 



way of carrying out your uncle's last request. I 

 don't want to hide from you, Shan, that it's a diffi- 

 cult thing to do. In order to save birds, all that 

 is really necessary is to give them a fair chance. 

 Protect them against being shot. Kill all the stray 

 cats and English Sparrows. Get rid of Sharp- 

 Shinned and Cooper's Hawks. Put up nest-boxes 

 wherever you can. Plant the bushes, trees and 

 vines which provide food for the birds. If these 

 things are done, there'll be no lack of bird life." 



"But I can't make a living out of doing that!" 



*'No," the Feather Man agreed, ''you cannot. 

 I really don't know how you can make a living in 

 saving birds unless you get an official position 

 like a game warden or some post like that in the 

 general work of bird protection." 



''Could I get a job like that?" Shan asked hope- 

 fully. 



' ' At your age, my boy ? Never. ' ' 



"But I've got to make a living," the lad in- 

 sisted. 



"Of course. Remember, Shan, people can only 

 make a living by doing something that they know 

 how to do. No matter what your work in life 

 may be, you've got to be trained for it. A farmer 

 must know how to manage his farm, a carpenter 



