Introduction. 



misery to them to be confined within the limits of a 

 cage : these it would be far better not to imprison, but 

 to make them our outdoor pensioners, providing them 

 with a store of fat and bread crumbs when their natural 

 food fails them, and giving them the means of warmth 

 and shelter in the winter. Many of these would live hap- 

 pily, when they became tame, in a large aviary or bird- 

 room. But this is not the case with all birds ; some 

 are teased by the bustle and activity of a number of 

 companions, and thrive better alone, or with a mate. 



All this must be taken into consideration in the 

 treatment of each species ; and it is to assist those 

 who earnestly desire to promote the health and happi- 

 ness of their birds, to ascertain all that it is essential 

 for them to know in order to accomplish this, that this 

 little Manual has been undertaken. The difficulty in 

 obtaining accurate information about many of the little 

 foreigners more recently imported into England, and 

 the impossibility of becoming intimately acquainted 

 with the habits of those of whom I have had no per- 

 sonal experience, will, I fear, cause it to fall far short 

 of the completeness I desire for it ; and for all such 

 shortcomings I would bespeak the kind indulgence of 

 my readers. 



