BRITISH MAMMALS 



possession of the old nest of a bird in a hedgerow, or 

 even construct one of these homesteads of its own accord. 

 ^ House Mouse. — We know some people who wear the 

 mangled corpse of a Dove in their hats, a bird which is 

 associated in our minds with much felicity and an old- 

 estabUshed omen of peace, who would shrink from the 

 form of a Mouse, and with a paroxysm of fear ! We 

 cannot reconcile the attitude of such persons as these. 

 They would probably scream at the sight of a captive 

 bird in a prison cage, or cruelty inflicted to young birds, 

 but they are themselves aiding and abetting a distasteful 

 and nefarious trade in wearing the stuffed remains of 

 beautiful feathered creatures upon their own heads. 

 Great cruelty is involved in this plume and bird trade, 

 and it is high time that our women folk recognised that 

 they have the power to put a stop to it by ceasing their 

 demand for the wretched caricatures of bird hfe which 

 they display. We do not desire to be accused of over- 

 sensitiveness, but we know our facts, and feel sure that 

 no British woman would intentionally cause undue 

 suffering to any wild creature. Ignorance is at the root 

 of the evil, for such it undoubtedly is, and the sooner we 

 as a nation recognise the true moral running through 

 the following lines (we believe they were written by 

 John Ruskin) the better : — 



" Let them enjoy their little day. 

 Their humble bliss receive ; 

 Oh ! do not lightly take away 



The life thou cans't not give." 

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