it was so lacerated that it died that night. Of two nests of Robins
I have known this season, in spite of me, the cats got seven of the
young, and the eighth would have gone the same way were it not
sleeping safely in another of my cages. In all, I have three young
Robins, all picked up from the ground, unable to fly. all, without the
shadow of a doubt, saved from the cats. None have died in my hands,
the one killed by the neighbors cat not counted, and they seem to be
fairly happy little birds, though it is to be hoped that they will grow
happier as they grow wiser. My point is simply that in the present
exigency of our rapidly decreasing bird life, every child should learn
how to care for fledglings of different species and have suitable cages
where they may be kept until, at least, they are able to fly. This
may often be done by hanging
An image should appear at this position in the text.FEEDING A PET CEDAR WAXWING
Which lives out of doors, all over tbe house, and in his cage
Photographed from nature by C. F. Hodge
the cage near the nest.
where the parents will feed it.
Our children owe this work
to the community, to them-
selves and to the birds. I am
aware some will say that this
will lead to the death of more
fledglings than now go to feed
the cats. And under present
conditions, I regret to say.
there is a good deal of truth
in it. In trying to get children interested in this work,
I have been surprised to find
so many who say, "Oh yes,
I would like to have some
tame Robins so much ; but you
can't keep them alive. I have
tried it, and they all died."
"What did you feed them?"
"Oh, bread crumbs;" now
and then one will say "worms
and berries." "Did they eat?"
"No, I never saw them eat
anything." "Did you give them
any water to drink?" "No, I
didn't think of that." "How
often do you feed them? Do
you know that birds are flying appetites? Did you feed them regularly
about every hour?" "No, I put in some stuff generally about once
Page:Bird-lore Vol 01.djvu/175
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‘On the Ethics of Caging Birds’
161
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