vi PREFACE 



that they may be fondled, but they are widely kept for 

 ornamental purposes, and their proper treatment is a matter 

 often not well known. 



No attempt has been made to give detailed descriptions 

 of wild species, except in so far as to make identification 

 reasonably easy. Domestic breeds have received more atten- 

 tion in this respect, as their colors and markings are more 

 variable than those of forms unaffected by the conditions 

 of long-continued confinement. Since captivity is here the 

 keynote, wild habits, in most cases, have not been dwelt on. 

 Collateral reading of books chosen from the many devoted 

 to that phase of the subject is strongly advised. 



Except in a few cases, notably the birds, reference to 

 disease has been brief. If sick animals do not respond 

 quickly to the simple household remedies which suggest 

 themselves, a veterinary should be summoned, or the suf- 

 ferer destroyed. To attempt to treat a creature that is 

 seriously ill is a task which only a trained person should 

 assume. Bird diseases, however, have received scant atten- 

 tion from investigators, and the little space devoted to them 

 here will not be amiss. 



The question of scientific breeding may seem somewhat 

 erudite for the field indicated by the title of this work. Its 

 importance is so great, however, that a few words, outlining 

 the fundamentals, have been added as an appendix. 



For those who desire more extensive information than 

 is given here, a list of practical works is given. To many 

 of them I am indebted for reference during the preparation 

 of this volume, and hereby make full acknowledgment. 



To Dr. William T. Hornaday, Mr. William Beebe, Mr. 

 Raymond L. Ditmars and Mr. Elwin R. Sanborn, I am 

 grateful for much invaluable assistance and advice, which 

 have greatly facilitated my work. Mr. Kenyon V. Painter 

 Mr. Percy Warner, Mrs. Harriet V. Furness and the New 



