GENERAL CARE 67 



mention the wonderful advances made in the technic of 

 bird-keeping. 



This sort of thing is almost unknown and but little 

 understood in America. The great field of scientific re- 

 search and the simpler pleasures afforded by the com- 

 panionship of birds are rendered inaccessible and difficult by 

 lack of knowledge. That such conditions may not always 

 exist is the earnest hope of the writer. 



Through extension of knowledge of practical bird-keep- 

 ing, many species threatened with extinction may be saved. 

 One very notable instance is that of the Wood Duck. This 

 bird has long been known in Europe as an ornamental addi- 

 tion to lakes and ponds. It is now bred in large numbers 

 in Holland and Germany, and three-quarters of the captive 

 Wood Ducks seen in America were reared in Europe. This 

 is now one of the rarest of our native ducks, but propaga- 

 tion of captive birds will save it from extinction. 



Work of this sort is now beginning to be done extensively 

 in America, though principally with game birds. Sys- 

 tematic attempts are being made to save the Ruffed Grouse 

 and the Bobwhite. In the New York Zoological Park, 

 Mourning Doves are now being reared in considerable 

 numbers, and liberation of surplus birds has already taken 

 place. 



In the following pages none but the commoner of the 

 many species of cage birds is considered. Only those 

 sorts which are readily obtainable in America, and which 

 are hardy and easily kept in captivity, are mentioned. 

 Space does not permit the detail necessary to fully describe 

 the care of more unusual forms. Moreover, the keeping of 

 the rarer birds, most of which are uncommon in captivity 

 simply because they are difficult to cater to, should never 

 be undertaken except by persons made competent by experi- 

 ence. 



