226 Cruelty to Birds 



Had I caught our cook-boy at such work I should 

 have pitched him into the river with promptitude. 



But Europeans are, not unnaturally, looked upon 

 by the natives as people who want to kill birds, and 

 many make no protest at unnecessary cruelties, which 

 are frequently looked upon as the custom of the coun- 

 try, and only to be expected in those who know no 

 better. 



But they can be taught, and are then most kind 

 and thoughtful to dumb creatures. 



As soon as our Dahabeah crew discovered my great 

 love for such things, they one and all took pleasure 

 in attending to their wants. 



If it was the macaw, he would be the first to receive 

 a piece of sugar-cane as soon as a fresh consignment 

 was brought on board ; if it was the gazelle, they 

 would bring anything from off the shore, such as 

 clover, &c., which they thought the little animal would 

 like to nibble at ; and by the end of our voyage they 

 had discovered the pleasure of tending to their needs, 

 and of satisfying their hunger. 



Easterns have an innate faculty for taming dumb 

 things, and only need to be shown what kindness to 

 them means, to turn them from thoughtless cruelty 

 and ignorant treatment. 



To imbue men, women, and children — especially 

 the latter, because it is good to begin early — with a 

 love for birds and animals, is undoubtedly a means of 

 raising the moral tone, as well as of creating an interest 

 in life which will give an impetus to a recreation both 

 refreshing and instructive. 



