PREFACE. 
There are few persons who have not, at some period or 
other of their Hves, nourished and cherished a feathered 
pet. Very many there are who dehght to have one or 
more of these sweet denizens of the fields and woodlands 
constantly about them, either to gratify their sense of lieoring 
with melodious song, or that of sight, with grace of form 
and motion, or richness and harmony of tints delicately 
blended, or strikingly contrasted. Whether it be to amuse 
the vacant hour by an observation of the pretty tricks and 
endearing familiarities of the little prisoners ; to instruct the 
inquiring mind by a study of the manners and habits oi 
this interesting division of animated nature ; or to satisfy 
that craving after something to live and care for, which 
ever possesses the human mind — in either case it may 
well be presumed that a manual like this, affording every 
kind of information which may be required for the proper 
management, whether in health or sickness, of Cage and 
Singing Birds, cannot be other than useful and acceptaM- . 
In its compilation the most recent as well as the hc:^l 
established authorities have been consulted, and a laii^^j 
i 
