on the Weather and our Summer Birds. 251


contended, and I still contend, that the bird in captivity, properly

kept and properly fed, by those who thoroughly understand the

subject, is far better-off than the bird at liberty ; no doubt this

sounds strange.


I kept a Swallow, the first I ever attempted, for nearly

seven } T ears, in the most perfect health and condition, and the

bird was always in lovely feather and even sang, and birds do not

sing because they are unhappy. This bird had a large aviary to

fly and exercise in, would feed from my hand, and I consider

that that bird was far better off, under my care during those seven

years, than it would have been at liberty, for in its wild state it

would have had to stand the chance of probably being shot at by

some ignorant pot hunter who shoots at everything, there would

be our uncertain climate to face, also vermin and many other

tilings, including the long and trying migration.


It is wonderful what good weather prophets birds are, and

anyone who takes a keen interest in these matters and is a

thorough observer of these things, will notice it. For instance

the Fieldfares, Redwings and Bramblefinches which arrive here

about the first week in October from the far north and take the

place of our summer migrants, which have then left our shores

and gone South for the winter, generally leave for their return

journey to their northern home to breed about the 7th of April.

This year they have appeared in large flocks and for the past

three weeks have been calling loudly, just as they do in winter

on the approach of cold weather. Evidently they were com¬

pelled to remain here, although the strong instinct of migra¬

tion was in them and their time to go under ordinary circum¬

stances, had arrived. We see now, and before the barometer

could tell us, why they stayed. It is certain that they could not

have forged their way north through this arctic weather to pro¬

bably find their breeding quarters frozen up and so they have

been compelled to prolong their stay with us.


What I have written is nothing but absolute fact, based

upon my own personal observation and I have studied orni¬

thology ever since I was a boy.



