A PLEA FOR SMALL BIRDS.
(To TEE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'
SIR,—May I draw the attention of your readers to some of the suffering caused by the practice of catching small birds for the table and for cages ? This afternoon in my garden (a small one in Essex) I found a starling banging on a tree. On examination I found it hung by a piece of bast, one end of which was tied tightly round its leg in such a business- like manner that the knot must have been tied by human fingers, whilst the other end had caught on a twig. There is a second bird, hanging out of reach on a tall tree, which seen through a glass appears to be fastened in the same way. Doubtless they were both escaped decoy birds, as there are many bird-catchers in this neighbourhood. Perhaps those who enjoy eating larks for dinner and those who keep birds caged for their amusement do not think of this sort of thing, but it would be well if they did.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A BRANCH SEC., SOCIETY PROTECTION OF BIRDS.
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