BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY. 121 



picture of a bird for reference, one giving at a 

 glance the general appearance of the species, and, 

 on a more careful examination, the most minute 

 detail of its plumage. 



To do pleasing work on birds in captivity, they 

 must be quite at home and settled down in their 

 new surroundings, and not in any way afraid of 

 our approach with the camera, or they will look 

 scared and unhappy. Above all, they must have 

 congenial and ample quarters in order that they 

 may be kept in the best of health and spirits, or 

 their tails and plumage generally will become 

 draggled. It will be so much the better if the 

 surroundings, when any are suggested in the 

 picture, are typical of those in which the bird 

 naturally lives, for the picture will then be more 

 pleasing ; and mention being made that the sub- 

 ject was a captive, will prevent any of our handi- 

 work from being taken as infallibly connected 

 with the bird. 



Had these photographs at the time of repro- 

 duction always been plainly marked as from cap- 

 tive birds, we should have heard nothing but 

 high praise for such as were technically good; 

 but not only have these been passed off as studies 

 of wild-life, but what is a thousand times worse, 

 pictures of stuffed birds have been made to serve 

 the same purpose ! Much craft has been employed 



