4 BRITISH BIRDS 



devote themselves to the congenial and absorbing pursuit 

 of keeping and breeding various kinds of birds. 



Some prefer seed-eaters to soft-billed birds, and others 

 give the preference to the latter, which are popularly, 

 but erroneously, believed to be more difficult to preserve 

 in confinement than the former. But it only requires a 

 little knowledge of their natural habits to enable one sort 

 to succeed in a state of domestication as well as the 

 other : indeed, of the two, insectivorous birds are less 

 trouble to cater for than the seed-eaters ; but both have 

 their drawbacks, as well as their advantages, which will all 

 be duly considered in turn. 



Some like to bring up their birds by hand from the 

 nest, and where this is practicable, it is much the better 

 way ; but it means a certain amount, or rather a great 

 deal of trouble, and where that is an object, it is advised 

 that the attempt be not made. Others again prefer to 

 get their birds full-grown, either by buying them from 

 the dealers, or catching them for themselves; but we 

 must confess to not having much partiality for the latter 

 plan, and cannot recommend its adoption, notwithstand- 

 ing the encomiums passed on the pursuit by some of its 

 votaries, who wax eloquent over the pleasure to be 

 derived from the contemplation of rural scenery and novel 

 surroundings, not to speak of the exercise of patience in 

 waiting and watching for the advent of the quarry, and 



FORCEPS FOR FEEDING SOFT-BILLED BIRDS. 



the excitement attending upon its capture. This excite- 

 ment is just what we object to, as lending a fictitious 

 attraction to the pursuit, which, if followed at all, should 

 be practised on its own merits and not from any adven- 

 titious motive. 



Personally, we prefer hand-reared birds, and in the 



