GOOD-BYE, CHILDREN (BLUE BIRD,' 

 By C. A. Reed 



LICHEN COVERED NEST OF LITTLE MRS. 

 HUMMINGBIRD By Herbert K. Job 



rather large bumble bees, whirring 

 through the air. 



Some of the larger birds, if taken 

 from the nest when young, make en- 

 tertaining pets. I have a young crane 

 which is as fond of a frolic as any dog, 

 dancing and fluttering about, thrust- 

 ing his head into one's hand, pretend- 

 ing to be angry and seizing one's 

 finger in his beak, only to give it a 

 gentle pinch, then dancing off eager 

 to have a stick thrown to him. He will 

 toss the stick into the air, catch it and 

 bring it back for another game. 

 Strange to say, cranes and vultures 

 are among the most playful of birds, 

 comparable, perhaps, in disposition to 

 the bears among the fur-covered ani- 

 mals. 



Young birds should never be taken 

 from the nest unless one knows much 

 about their feeding habits in captivity, 

 and once taken and reared it is noth- 

 ing short of cruelty to set them free 

 again. For while in captivity many 

 kinds of birds can be made perfectly 

 happy, yet they will never have 

 learned to find their own food, and if 

 given their freedom the following fail 

 or spring they will perish miserably. 

 Cedarbirds, vireos and warblers are 

 very difficult to raise, and should never 

 be taken from the nest, but a song 

 sparrow, robin, thrush or sparrow 

 hawk, if well cared for, will become 



