CAGED BIRDS.
A Bill is presently to be introduced in the House of Lords to prohibit, among other undesirable things, the caging of wild birds. Now, captivity is not necessarily painful or disagreeable. The disciples of aviculture have learned an immense amount about birds which might not have been discovered by the field observer. Science is promoted. These bird students have often made great friends of their pets. Did not Lord Lilford play hide and seek with his pied wagtail ? So humanity is served as well as science. Caged birds and tame birds allowed outside the bars have been a great solace to many people ; and as a rule this access to their happiness has not been preserved at the expense of the bird. The prisoner of Chilton, on his release, confessed : " Even Regained my freedom with a sigh."
Most pretty Polls and love-birds and canaries would prefer the freedom of their bars to the freedom of field and wood.
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