374: 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[October, 
THE PET 
[COPTEIGHT SECTTP.ED.] 
BIRD . — Drawn and Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
A bird kept in a cage is a painful sight to any one hav- 
ing line feelings. It may he well cared -for, may sing 
sweetly and apparently enjoy its captivity, perhaps he 
really happy, hut it looks like a prisoner, and that gives 
an unpleasant impression. But no such thought is sug- 
gested by the pet bird in the picture. Its cage is its home, 
not its prison. The little girl is not a cruel jailer, bat a 
friend whom the bird loves well. It understands the kind- 
ness she lias shown it, and may well feel happy in the light 
of such a sweet smile. Birds kept in this way, allowed to 
leave the cage, and made familiar by petting, are cheerful 
and amusing companions. To train such creatures suc- 
cessfully, they should be taken when young, and gentle 
treatment will entirely deprive them of fear. Even wild 
birds may he taught to confide in a friend. Those who 
daily scatter crumbs for their benefit will soou be recog- 
nized and greeted by flocks of grateful songsters. Nu- 
merous instances have been related of wild robins, wrens, 
sparrows and other birds becoming attached to persons 
who have fed them regularly. Surely there will be more 
pleasure in winning the love of one bird by gentleness and 
kindness, than in slaughtering a hundred in wanton sport. 
Unexpected. Answers. 
At the Home Mission in this city arc gathered hun- 
dreds of neglected children from the streets, to be fed, 
clothed, and cared for. Occasional treats of fruit, Thanks- 
giving dinners, etc., are given to them by benevolent 
friends. On such occasions there are numerous visitors, 
some of whom usually address the children, and endeavor 
to impart wholesome truths. On one occasion, a speaker 
wished to illustrate the nature of faith. He asked, "Chil- 
dren, what are you going to have soon?" "Watermel- 
ons," responded a chorus of voices. "How do you 
know?" "Seen 'em in the cellar, 1 ' shouted the children. 
The speaker, who expected to hear the answer. "Our 
teacher told us so," and thus to show the nature of faith, 
found himself nonplussed for a moment, his illustration 
having been thus amusingly spoiled Another t 
endeavored to illustrate faith thus: " Children, if I 
should tell you that one day I saw a monkey climbing a 
liberty pole, would you believe me ?" " Yes, sir," unan- 
imously. "Well, that is faith ; you believe me because I 
pay it, and you feel sure I would not tell an untruth.' 1 
The nest day, the question was asked of the same chil- 
dren, " What is faith ?" "A monkey climbing a liberty 
pole," answered a quick little boy, who had not quite 
mastered the idea, but had remembered the illustration. 
