PREFACE. T has been the aim of the Editor of this little work, on a subject interesting to all, and especially so to ladies, to produce a volume worthy of their acceptance, possessing the recommendations of PORTABILITY, ELEGANCE, and UTILITY. Beautiful birds! neither wild nor free Are they sporting now by the greenwood tree; Not all who keep Feathered Pets, and wish to obey the above injunction, possess the requisite knowledge; but a slight study of these pages will render it easy for them to do so. They will here learn what the German naturalist, Bechstein, the greatest of authorities upon the Natural History and Treatment of Cage Birds, has written; and will also receive much valuable instruction from other reliable sources. |