88 CANARY BIRDS. 



hatched than the conspirators went to work 

 with an energy and unity of purpose worthy 

 of a better cause. Despite the vigorous re- 

 sistance of the parent birds, their infant off- 

 spring were remorselessly dragged from their 

 cradles, suspended in mid-air (like Maho- 

 met's coffin), and then dashed forcibly to 

 the ground ; they were all tried and banish- 

 ed. The sex called gentle it was found 

 needful to banish for ever." 



From Mr. Kidd's own account it was not 

 the females that made the disturbance, ex- 

 cept as they were the objects of the ferocity 

 of the males, but the latter were the best 

 songsters ; therefore the martyrs were ba- 

 nished. He seems to consider the birds as 

 only kept for song ; but no amount of song 

 would compensate us for missing the pretty 

 sight of the little fledglings, or being depriv 

 ed of the amusement of witnessing the court 

 Bhips. 



As interesting a fixed aviary as any I 

 have known, is formed from one end of a 



