466 
BIRD-LIFE. 
as their protector and guardian, until in the end they 
cannot do without him; many birds will neither eat nor 
‘sing in his absence, and give unmistakable signs of 
satisfaction while doing either in his presence. When 
the master approaches the cage they come towards him; 
if he calls, they answer; if he bows to them, they return 
the compliment; they will not leave the open cage 
when a greater range of freedom is offered them, or if 
they do, they return to the cage as soon as their master 
drives them towards it; they let him know if one of the 
company has been guilty of any misdemeanour; they 
will sing to him those airs which he particularly likes, 
especially such as they have been taught; in short, they 
minister to his pleasure a hundred times a day! And these 
creatures are supposed to lead a sad, miserable existence, 
—to mourn their lot! Is this, a taste which affords so 
many pleasures, to be classed among the illicit and the 
inhuman ? No; heaven forbid! People may cry out 
as they like against keeping cage birds, but I shall ever 
defend the practice. My tame birds have cheered and 
lightened many a weary hour, which otherwise would 
have been bitter and sad, indeed; and I trust they will 
yet afford me much future pleasure. 
There was a period in my life when I was left alone,—- 
forsaken, poor, sick, and sad: I was overwhelmed with mis¬ 
fortune, and the wounds I had received were still unhealed. 
The few men to whom I might have attached myself I 
was forced to flee like a pestilence : it was only at a much 
later date that I made a friend. In these sad times my 
feathered pets were my only comforters,—my friends,— 
amongst them I passed my happiest hours. They knew 
how I loved them; and on this account they did every¬ 
thing they could think of to make me love them the 
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