HOSTEL FOR BIRDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1938, Page 5

HOSTEL FOR BIRDS

RESTAURANT AND HOSPITAL. There is a hostel and restaurant for birds in Paris. It is situated in an important thoroughfare, and the only payment the owner receives is the satisfaction of having performed a good deed, although neighbours are less enthusiastic. The name of the benefactor of pigeons and sparrows is Madame Francois, and in her house she has established a unique refuge for birds. The windows of the third and fourth floors have been removed, and when the birds fly into the empty rooms they there find baskets of seeds and other things they like to eat. There are regular hours for feeding the birds, the distribution of food for the pigeons taking place every morning at 10.30.

In addition to the restaurant, there is a hospital for injured birds. Anyone in the neighbourhood finding an injured bird takes it to the birds’ home and hands it in. In the infirmary they are protected by their hostess against the other birds, and when sufiiciently recovered fly out by the nearest open window. When Madame Francois takes her annual holiday, the birds are not forgotten, for she leaves someone in charge to look after them. She has made a will which provides that her feathered friends shall continue to be looked after when she is no more.