methods of taming,
feeding, and housing one's pets with extreme minuteness in order to help
those of my readers who may be very fond of live creatures, and yet from
lack of opportunity may have gained no knowledge of their mode of life,
and what is required to keep them happily in health and vigour. I have
had to learn by experience that attention to very small details is the
road to success in keeping pets as well as in other things, and the
desire to pass on that experience must be my excuse to more scientific
readers for seeming triviality.

Many admirable books have been written by those well qualified to impart
their knowledge in every branch of Natural History, and the more such
books are read the better, but the following pages simply contain the
life histories of my pets and what I personally have observed about
them. I shall be glad indeed if they supply any useful information, or
lead others to the more careful study of the common every-day things
around them with a view to more kindness being shown to all living
creatures, and tender consideration for them. I trust I may feel that
this little book will then have attained its purpose. May it especially
tend to lead the young to see how this beautiful world is full of
wonders of every kind, full of evidences of the Great Creator's wisdom
and skill in adapting each created thing to its special purpose, and
from the whole realm of nature may they be taught lessons in parables,
and their hearts be led upward to God Himself, who made all things to
reflect His own perfection and glory.

"Gem, flower, and fish, the bird, the brute,
Of every kind occult or known
(Each exquisitely form'd to suit
Its humble lot, and that alone),
Through ocean, earth, and air fulfil
Unconsciously their Maker's will."

ELIZA BRIGHTWEN.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

REARING BIRDS FROM THE NEST.

The most delightful of all pets are the birds one has taken the pains to
rear from the nest; they never miss the freedom of outdoor life, they
hardly know what fear is, they become devotedly attached to the one who
feeds and educates them, and all their winsome ways seem developed by
the love and care which is given to them.

I strongly deprecate a whole nest being taken; one would not willingly
give the happy little parent birds the distress of finding an empty
home. After all their trouble in building, layi