[Illustration: BOBBINETTE DICK DONA MARINA BOBBY BLONDELL] [Illustration: The Bird Hospital] THE BIRD HOSPITAL By CAROLINE CROWNINSHIELD BASCOM ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS BOSTON NEW YORK H. M. CALDWELL CO. _Copyright, 1905_ By H. M. Caldwell Co. _COLONIAL PRESS_ _Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co._ _Boston, U.S.A._ DEDICATED TO MY LIFELONG FRIEND _Hannah Gould Mynverse_ WITH THE LOVE OF _Caroline Crowninshield Bascom_ PREFACE The study of birds (and a most delightful study too) is steadily on the increase, and a great deal of good is being done. A great deal more might be done if older people would take more pains in impressing upon all children never to harm in any way our feathered friends. I have prepared this little book of simple true tales, not for the literary critic to pull to pieces, but simply to give pleasure to all lovers of pets, hoping it may be of some help to those who wish to tame and train their birds or cats. I especially want it to teach children to love and be kind to all living creatures God has put upon the earth. He has never put anything here that has not some use, no matter how some may fear and hate the lower animals. Never hurt anything, and only kill when it is necessary, and then do it in the quickest and most humane way. I shall be glad to hear from any children who have pets, and will aid them all I can in taming and training them. Caroline Crowninshield Bascom. 19 Green St., Seneca Falls, N. Y. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. Little Billee 11 II. Taffy and Tricksey 36 III. Dewey 52 IV. Trinata 71 V. Cady 87 VI. Some Transient Patients 102 VII. Judy and Ned 116 VIII. Dona Marina 125 IX. Bobbinette and Bobby—Two Orphans 139 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS