II 



WHICH SHALL WE CHOOSE? 



HAVING decided to keep a bird, the impor- 

 tant question is, naturally, what shall be chosen 

 out of the great variety of native and foreign 

 birds to be found in our bird stores ? 



It may help to a decision to inquire a little 

 into your motives. Why do you want a bird ? 

 Is it to put a finishing touch to a room, to en- 

 tertain you with song, to amuse the children, 

 or to be a companion to you ? 



If the decoration of a room is the object, 

 your way is plain ; get a brilliant-hued parrot, 

 or a 



" Cockatoo, creamy and white, 



With roses under his feathers 

 That flash across the light," 



put it into a gorgeous gilded cage, upon a hand- 

 some standard, in the middle of a bay-window, 

 and the thing is done. If you want a singer, 

 choose a canary or a mocking-bird ; either one, 



