Page:Story of the robins.djvu/44

30 up in a cage, where he cannot so much as make use of his wings, where he is separated from his natural companions, and where he cannot possibly receive that refreshment which the air must afford to him when at liberty to fly to such a height. But this is not all; for many a poor bird is caught and taken from its family, after it has been at the trouble of building a nest, has perhaps laid its eggs, or even hatched its young ones, which are by this means exposed to certain destruction. It is likely that these very redbreasts may have young ones, for this is the season of the year for their hatching; and I rather think they have from the circumstance of their always coming together."

"If that be the case," said Harriet, "it would be a pity indeed to confine them. But why, mamma, if it is wrong to catch birds, did you at one time keep canary-birds?"

"The case is very different in respect to canary-birds, my dear," said Mrs. Benson; "by keeping them in a cage I did them a kindness. I considered them as little foreigners who claimed my hospitality. This kind of bird came originally from a warm climate; they are in their nature very susceptible of cold, and would perish in the open air in our winters; neither does the food which they feed on grow plentifully in