People and Birds. . . The Meaning of Our Relationship

Abstract

Homo sapiens is unique among all
species in its practice of keeping other
species as pets. As a psychoanalyst and
aviculturist (a breeder of fancy pigeons),
the complex and multiple meanings of
this phenomenon has been of special
interest. The meanings I am discussing
here are the deeper, personal meanings
that underlie an individual's decision to
keep and raise birds. These motivations
are partly inherent in our psychology as
a species.

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