IGNORANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY 
blind ; the true meaning being, that the white blind 
should be affixed to the cage. 
This statement, in all |)robability, would be misunder- 
stood, and without doubt led to the supposition that it 
was necessary to blind the bird instead of the cage. 
In answer to a letter which is not dated I said : — 
“ N"o one can be more delighted than I am at the efforts of 
so many to prevent the cruelty that was and is still inflicted 
upon the lower animals. 
“ At the same time I cannot help expressing the disgust I feel 
upon reading some of the statements that are from time to 
time put forward, perliaps for a good ^ourpose, but the effect is 
painful and the statements untrue. The putting out of the 
eyes of small birds with red-hot needles is one of these horrible 
falsities. 
“ I have been acquainted all my life with most of the bird- 
catchers and bird-fanciers in England, and I can say, without 
fear of contradiction, that no such practice does, or ever did, 
exist, and that birds thus treated would die. It is entirely a 
false and cruel invention of writers whom I sliall call Shudder- 
mongers.” 
327 
