IS IT CRUEL TO KEEP BIRDS? 3 



ancestry, he is utterly incapacitated for free- 

 dom. So far from being a kindness to give 

 him his liberty, it is a positive cruelty. He 

 has never sought food or shelter, he has no 

 notion of doing either, and he must inevita- 

 bly perish. Birds that have been taken from 

 the nest are in a similar condition of igno- 

 rance. Unless kept in captivity a very short 

 time, and afterwards supplied with food till 

 they learn to care for themselves, to thrust 

 them out is like taking a child brought up in 

 luxury and forcing him into the streets to 

 pick up his own living. This comparison is 

 not in the least exaggerated. A young bird 

 is taught by his parents where and how to 

 get his food. Close observers may see this in- 

 struction going on all summer, when nesting 

 is over and young birds are out. If, then, 

 this period of instruction is passed in a house, 

 and he is adult when turned adrift, there is 

 no one to teach him, and he must learn by 

 hard experience, or die in the attempt. 



I have read stories of children being induced 

 to set free their pets, because they would be so 

 much happier. One in particular I remember, 

 because I was so indignant about it, where the 



