Cruelty to Birds 215 



the edge of which were ranged about twenty little 

 birds plucked and trussed for cooking. 



By their slender black legs and feet I knew at once 

 that they were not sparrows. 



I asked the cook. 



" Pettirossi, Signore," was the answer, " Buonis- 

 simi." Actually robins ! 



Abominable man to recommend robins to me as 

 excellent eating ! 



When I told his mistress, she, as an Englishwoman, 

 was horrified, and gave very decided orders that such a 

 dish was not to appear again in the menu. 



In Florence a case of downright cruelty came 

 under my notice about ten years ago. 



Passing a bird shop, I entered in, and after looking 

 about amongst the birds in the front part, penetrated 

 towards the back. 



Some ortolans and Citril finches were sitting very 

 still in a cage, with their heads moving from side to 

 side in an unnatural manner. 



I looked more closely. 



They couldn't see ! Over their eyes there was a 

 thick blister. 



In a moment I realised what it was. 



By a heated needle or iron they had been blinded, 

 at least for a while, to prevent their fluttering about ; 

 and to the uninitiated they appeared very tame. 



I almost flew at the shop proprietor then and there. 

 Oh ! how I longed to give his eyes something which 

 would at the least discolour them. 



Startled at my outburst of heartfelt indignation, 



