'On the Ethics of Caging Birds' 



i6i 



it was so lacerated that it died that night. Of two nests of Robins 

 I have known this season, in spite of me, the cats got seven of the 

 young, and the eighth would have gone the same way were it not 

 sleeping safely in another of my cages. In all, I have three young 

 Robins, all picked up from the ground, unable to fly. all, without the 

 shadow of a doubt, saved from the cats. None have died in my hands, 

 the one killed by the neighbors cat not counted, and they seem to be 

 fairly happy little birds, though it is to be hoped that they will grow 

 happier as they grow wiser. My point is simply that in the present 

 exigency of our rapidly decreasing bird life, every child should learn 

 how to care for fledglings of different species and have suitable cages 

 where they may be kept until, at least, they are able to fly. This 

 may often be done by hang- 

 ing the cage near the nest. 

 where the parents will feed it. 

 Our children owe this work 

 to the community, to them- 

 selves and to the birds. I am 

 aware some will say that this 

 will lead to the death of more 

 fledglings than now go to feed 

 the cats. And under present 

 conditions, I regret to say. 

 there is a good deal of truth 

 in it. In trying to get chil- 

 dren interested in this work, 

 I have been surprised to find 

 so many who say, "Oh yes, 

 I would like to have some 

 tame Robins so much ; but you 

 can't keep them alive. I have 

 tried it, and they all died." 

 "What did you feed them?" 

 "Oh, bread crumbs;" now 

 and then one will say "worms 

 and berries." "Did they eat ?'' 

 "No, I never saw them eat 

 anything." "Did you give them 

 any water to drink ? " " No, I 

 didn't think of that." "How 

 often do you feed them ? Do 

 you know that birds are flying appetites ? Did you feed them regularly 

 about every hour?" "No, I put in some stuff generally about once 



ii-:eiiin( 



■i-:i)AK WAXW'IN- 



Which lives out of doors, all over tbe house, 

 and in his cage 



Photographed from nature by C. F. Hodge 



