147



They were two grand young birds, and I am sure the cock

slew them out of jealously ; though he evidently is of the opinion

of Horace : “ Nec pueros coram populo Medea trucidat.” He

must have done the deed ; as there are nothing but tiny finches

in th# aviary.


They are busy with a new nest, and this time I shall remove

Master Dhyal as soon as the eggs are laid, as though he is useful

up to that time and very ornamental, he is decidedly blood¬

thirsty to budding young cocks, and I don’t believe he takes any

share in the feeding ; at least I never saw him feed.



REVIEW.


Captive Song-Birds. A pamphlet issued by the Society for the

Protection of Birds. (No. 31 J.


It may be questioned whether it is not w r aste of time to

notice this, or any of the leaflets issued by a Society whose object

evidently is to put an end to aviculture ; but the present one is

so monstrous in its demands, and so silly in its assertions, that

it can hardly be passed over without comment ; if only to show

to what lengths fictitious humanitarianism and fanaticism will

lead their votaries.


The opening and closing lines of the leaflet are practically

opposed to the study of all birds in captivity ; and the difference

between keeping a bird in a cage measuring only a few cubic

inches and in an extensive aviary are regarded as represent¬

ing mere “ degrees of questionable treatment.” The argument,

if such it can be called, that because a bird is fitted for a life of

freedom in the open-air, it must necessarily suffer and be

miserable when its liberty is more or less restricted, is one that

nobody familiar with birds could have used : it is well-known

that many birds, when they escape from captivity, soon miss the

comforts and luxuries of aviary- or cage-life, and voluntarily

return to it.


The writer hints that but few species become habituated to

captivity, and he unblushingly asserts that the life is an un¬

healthy one. As a matter of fact, there are few species which

have not been habituated to captivity amongst those which have

been kept ; and probably none which could not be. As to the

unhealthiness of cage-birds, what evidence has been collected

on the subject tends to show that they live far longer, and exhibit

infinitely more perfect plumage, when properly looked after in

an aviary, than they ever do in a wild state.



