3 Review(s)

PREFACE. What, another bird-book someone may feel tempted to exclaim, on reading the title of the present volume surely there are enough of them and to spare. But is that so When a subject is practically inexhaustible and as yet only its merest outside fringe has been touched upon, it is obvious that there is still something to be said about it, especially as new facts are being noted every day, and discoveries made that were undreamt of even a short time before. Further, there is as much to unlearn as to learn. If history has been built up out of fable, as some assert is the case, much more is this true of Natural History, which is founded, not only on fable, but on ignorance and prejudice as well. Error is tenacious of existence as hard to kill, indeed, as the proverbial cat and one reason for this is that when the average person has accepted or imagined a mistake, cuddled, petted, and made much of it for years and years, not to speak of pledging his credit on its behalf, it takes a good deal of persuading to induce him to cast it adrift and transfer his affections to the truth. The feat, however, though difficult, is not impossible of accomplishment, providing the said average persons opponent only goes the right way to work and, while steadily upholding his own protege, treads upon as few corns as possible and ruffles as few susceptibilities as may be, bearing in mind the fact that there are victories that are worse than a defeat, and that nothing is ever gained by losing temper. Such being the case, another bird-book is not only admis- sible, but imperatively called for, if for no other reason than to chronicle the latest discoveries made in Natural History by the many earnest thinkers who devote more or less of their time and energy to the better understanding of the subject, and particularly that branch of it that treats of the management of the feathered tribes in a state of domesticity or of absolute captivity. There are probably not many people who, admitting the initial right of man to confine birds of various kinds for his pleasure or advantage, would deny the fact that if birds are kept it is desirable that their habits and inclinations should be studied, conformed to and gratified as far as practicable, in order to make them as happyand comfortable .as possible in their new surroundings. Of course, there are a few well-intentioned people who hold that we have no right to make winged prisoners under any combination of circumstances whatever, but such amiable enthusiasts need not detain us long, for if their contention were pushed to its legitimate conclusion, it would be equally unlawful for a man to keep a horse, a cow, or even a few head of domestic poultry. The object, then, of this book, which by no means professes to be infallible, is. to facilitate the keeping in cage and aviary of every kind of British Bird that is really suitable for the purpose. The rules laid down and the directions given are all the outcome of much practical experience in a study that has been dear to the writer from early pinafore days, and is still as full of interest .and attraction as ever. As the book is intended for the benefit of budding aviarists as well as for those who can boast of more experience, it is hoped that the latter will not take exception to anything that may savour to them of mere trivial detail, but which nevertheless is indispensable to the former...