252 A Kindergarten Experiment 



dows and giving both birds their freedom. I thought 

 of that, but what would have been the result ? As- 

 suming that the bullfinch escaped the owl (which was 

 doubtful), how was he to exist ? He had been 

 reared as a dependent, and could not care for him- 

 self. To liberate him would have been to expose 

 him to inclement elements, to hunger, and to all the 

 enemies that swarm in air and on the earth to prey 

 upon the unprotected. No, 1 could not do that. I 

 continued, therefore, to carry out the responsibility 

 I had voluntarily assumed. It was a difficult task. 

 The little bird pined somewhat. I fancied his ner- 

 vous system had received a shock from which it 

 never fully recovered. I coaxed him with all the 

 bird delicacies of which I had ever heard, and he 

 seemed very grateful, indeed, he appeared to have 

 become especially attached to me since the death of 

 the canary ; but yet he pined. Poor little fellow! 

 It was indeed pitiful. 



But to return to the owl. He, too, failed to 

 thrive. I never quite understood the cause, but I 

 could see he grew weaker and weaker. I fed him 

 carefully, and think he did not starve himself; but 



