THE CAGE BIRD CULT [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Uarry Brittain, by successfully steering through diffi- cult waters the Protection of Birds Act, 1925, has done a great deal towards putting an end to this cruelty, but it depends largely now on the 'public to report accurately eases where wild birds are confined in cages too small for them and which do not allow them an opportunity fully to stretch their wings. I tun glad to say that since the passing of the Act this Society has had 216 successful prosecutions and has given nmny hundreds of friendly warnings which have in almost every case been followed by the purchase of larger cages for the little prisoner. °he can only hope that the growth of public opinion against
the foolishness and selfishness of keeping' birds in cages will in the end create such a. feeling against the practice that it will be relegated to "the wicked past" with so many other similar abuses.
The Protection of Birds Act, 1925, has been a valuable step forward in recognizing cruelties involved in this matter, and the Society will only be too glad to enquire into all cases reported where birds arc confined in small cages or where decoy birds or bird lime are used for the purpose of capturing any wild birds.—I am, Sir, &c., E. G. FAnnioehts (Captain), Chief Secretary.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelly to Animals., 105 Jermyn Street, London, S.117.1.
[We think that the time is ripe for the introduction of legislation forbidding the keeping of British wild birds in cages, and we hope that some Member of Parliament will introduce a Private Members' Bill before long.-- En. Spectator.]
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