365:286 ANDREW HARDACRE

In the old days, many people walked their caged birds to the parks. They would gather and listen to the birds singing. Some very exotic species were sold in the bird markets. Nowadays the practice is largely frowned upon and has died out. Some elderly people still follow the practice and this man had two cages balanced on the wall at the entrance to the MTR. They are both Japanese (or Swinhoe’s) White-eyes. Perhaps not the most melodious of songsters but he was very happy with his birds. He proudly told me the one on the right was a baby. Who am I to deny him a small pleasure? These are common birds and not in any sense endangered. I would prefer them to be flying free but they seem well cared for. The man was happy to be photographed.