468 
BIRD-LIFE. 
and not love of gain, which first induced man to tame 
birds. The ancient Egyptians, for instance, never kept 
birds with a view to profit, hut for friendship’s sake, or 
out of reverence. With the Hebrews it was, possibly, 
different; since in their early history we read of birds 
being used in sacrifice. 
And now let us look round, and see how it is in our 
own country. Well, there are a large number of fanciers 
who keep birds solely for their own good pleasure, and 
not for gain. The protectors of wild birds now increase 
from day to day; and the cry of “ Protection to birds ” is 
fast becoming that of the respectable portion of society. 
Matters do not look so very bad. 
On the other side, the true friends of birds have still a 
good deal to say before domestic fowls, &c., are treated 
more humanely than they were formerly, or even are 
now. Geese are still plucked alive, or are suspended for 
weeks together and crammed with hard flour-balls; young 
Cockerels are mutilated and plagued in a hundred other 
different ways: and yet all this takes place in the most 
shameless and open manner. 
Our sensitive friends have, hitherto, been quite silent 
on this point. We bird-fanciers are well aware it is true 
that the house-keeper is actuated by other motives than 
ourselves: methinks, however, that the aim may be 
reached without “ ill-treating the poor birds.” 
