i62 Bird -Lore 



a day." And so it goes. But shall we be content with this state of 

 things when any bright child can be given the necessary instruction 

 in an hour by which he can succeed in keeping alive and taming 

 practically all the fledglings that fall in his way ? 



Second : We owe it as a duty to both the birds and ourselves 

 to learn the facts of bird life. We do not adequately know the 

 life story of a single one of our most common species. Every fact 

 that can be discovered as to the good or the harm that birds do 

 ought to be found out. Every fact so discovered will act as just so 

 much more motive force to bring about proper relations with our 

 birds. A few birds have been killed, and the stomach contents 

 analyzed, to obtain facts about bird foods which have changed our 

 sentiments and even legislation. Somebody owed this as a duty to 

 both birds and community. But this method is not well adapted for use 

 in elementary schools, and its results might be infinitely extended and 

 the subject of bird foods made a matter of practical public education, 

 by having classes in nature study throughout our schools make 

 feeding tests with tame birds of different species. Cages will have 

 to play at least a temporary role in work of this kind. More than 

 this, a knowledge of bird ways, habits, methods of feeding and 

 caring for their nests and young, their songs and calls, "their 

 manners for the heart's delight," are great aesthetic and educational 

 values. These might all be developed and enhanced by a proper 

 use of caged birds. Instead of collections of stviffed birds, the ethics 

 and educational value of which I wish might be discussed in Bird- 

 Lore, each city might have, possibly maintained by some ornitholo- 

 gical society, a fine collection of pairs of a few of our most valuable 

 species. These could make the rounds of the schools each year. 

 This, too, need only be a temporary expedient, useful until sufficient 

 general interest and knowledge is developed so that we may have, 

 properly appreciated and protected, an abundance of our native birds 

 tamed sufficiently to come close about our homes. 



The above are but two points among many, and I bring them 

 forward to bespeak a little intelligent favor for the proper use of 

 the cage. We owe the birds duties of protection and acquaintance, 

 and the cage may help us in the performance of both. 



C. F. Hodge, Clark University. 



