IS IT CRUEL TO KEEP BIRDS? 5 



There is a further point to be considered. 

 Birds are caged, and have been since the be- 

 ginning of the world so far as we know ; no 

 one of us can help it. To rescue one or more 

 from the miserable conditions of a bird store, 

 and make them happy in our homes, is a deed 

 of charity, not an unkindness. If we could 

 arouse all over the world a sentiment that 

 would prevent the catching of birds at all, I 

 should rejoice with all my heart. But since 

 we know that is impossible, let us try to com- 

 fort ourselves by redeeming from uncomforta- 

 bleness every one that we can. 



An English lady whom I know has a de- 

 lightful way of taming the birds on her place 

 without making them prisoners. It is thus : 

 When they are about ready to leave the nest, 

 she removes a bird perhaps two from the 

 parents' care, assuming the duties of the par- 

 ent herself, and feeding her captives carefully 

 every half-hour from four in the morning tiH 

 dark. At the same time she talks to them, 

 and gets them familiar with her. When they 

 are full-grown, and not at all afraid of her, she 

 opens her windows and lets them out, keep- 

 ing the food and water supply in plain sight, 



