The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-05-05
nlanitowof pilot.
THURSDAY. NAY 5 1892.
NOT SO CRUEL, AFTER ALL.
Ttc Keeping of Gagged Birds Kindness
in Some Cases.

4 good deal of sentiment is eXpend-
ed upon Gagged birds. From tender
hearts, and from others not so tender,
we often hear. Il can't bear to keep a
bird in a cage" Now, without in any
way advocating the caging of birds, |
-nust say that there are two sides to
this, As to most questions.
1t is true the captive is at the mercy
of his owner. his food depends upon
some ones memory, his comfort, his
very life, are in the power of another;
but the same is true Of the house dog
and cat. still more Of the horse. More
over, the last named animal is so much
worse off. that he is made to work, and
often sadly abused by his owner, yet
we hear little sympathy expressed for
his state Of slavery.
1t Is cruel To capture an adult bird
accustomed to freedom and to caring
for himself. and cOntine him in Il cage;
it is worse than cruel it IS brutal. to
neglect to provide carefully for Iris
comfort when thus imprisoned. But
that captive bird, properly caught
and properly cherished. must neces-
'sarily be unhappy, | emphatically
deny, and my opinion is based upon
several years close study of birds in
confinement.
BY properly caught" mean taken
from the nest. or when just out of it..
By "prOperly cherished" | mean not
only fed and watered rs regularly and
carefully as we attend to our own
physical needs, but in every other way
made as happy aS is possible, by loving
attention and thoughtful considera-
ton.
As to the canary. born in a cage, of
Gagged ancestry, he is utterly incapaci-
tated for freedom. SO far from being
kindness to give him his liberty, it
is positive cruelty. He has never
sought food or shelter, he has no
notion of doing either, and he must in
evitably perish. Birds that have been
taken from the nest are in similar
condition of ignorance. Unless kept
in captivity a very short time, and
afterward supplied with food till they
learn to care for themselves. to trust
them out is like taking child brought
up i'll luxury and forcing him into the
streets to pick up his own living. This
comparison is not in the least eXag-
Stldltb- n Noull1 III Il - lduGllI Nv
his parents where and how to get his
food. Close observers may see this in
Struction going on all summer. when
nesting is over and young birds are
out. If, then, this period of instruction
is passed in a house and he is adult
when turned adrift. there is no one to
teach him. and he must learn by hard
experience. or die in the attempt.
! have read stories of children being
induced to set free their pets because
they would be SO much happier. One
in particular | remember. because
was so indignant about it. where the
bird refused to be left in the park. but
flew back several times and alighted
on its owners. and they actually had to
scheme TO ret away from ii. 1t was
told n a Self-Sacritcing and virtuous
deed. when, rs \ matter of fact. it was
undoubtedly pure cruelty, and that
bird. accustomed to care and shelter,
probably died of want and exposure.
Another use of Il Gagged bird. or anv
captive, that IS of great value as | look
NJ il, i tn" opportunity ii gives for
lessons in consideration and care for
others, and love and kindness to ami
mails. Il has been aScertained bv
statistics. carefully gathered from
training-Sehools and prisons. that very
few men who in boyhood owned OF
cared for pet animal, O: who were
instructed in Kindness to the lowest
orders, are to be found among crimi.
mails. This fact. which should not as
toniSh us when we think of the elevat-
ing tendency OF unSeltiShncSs, puts in,
10 the hands OF parents and teachers 4
powerful weapon for good Not only
does the pet bird or beast entertain
and amuse the boy, but, under proper
direction. it trains him in gentle ways
IN a sense of justice and il goes far tc
insure m honest life -Olirc Thorn
nLL,r IN HArnaa.S RuenE.