THE CAGE. 19 



the left foot and firml}' screw on it the ring, which has been 

 placed open and ready, while the other end of the chain must 

 previously have been fastened to the stand. When letting the 

 bird loose, as well as on approaching it afterwards, great care 

 must be taken that it may not spring suddenly forward in wild 

 anxiety, plunge down, and break or dislocate the leg. 



The small Long-tailed Parrots, or Parrakeets, as well as the 

 smaller Short-tailed species, do not occasion so much trouble ; 

 they must simply be left to come of their own accord out of 

 the travelling cage, and go into the permanent cage when hunger 

 induces them to do so. They are very rarely kept on stands 

 or hoops. 



Unfortunately, it is often a long time before the terrified 

 parrot regains its tranquillity after being dragged out by the 

 dealer, and making a long journey in a narrow space ; a long 

 time must elapse before it can summon courage, and not 

 flutter violently, and give vent to the most deafening shrieks 

 when anyone approaches it to clean the cage or give food. 

 It is often weeks before it gradually becomes quiet, intelligent, 

 and trustful, and soon afterwards teachable. 



If one has to deal with an untamed parrot, which is still 

 quite wild and uncontrolled, it should not at first be placed 

 either in the spacious permanent cage nor with a chain on a 

 stand. In the former case, it will need a much longer time to 

 accustom it to the new circumstances, and in the latter there 

 is great danger of its suddenly plunging down in anxiety or 

 fear, and injuring itself, as described above. 



CHAP. III.— THE CAGE. 



Requirements of a good Parrot Cage — Square Cages — Cage of 

 the Ornis Society of Berlin — Perches — Ornamental Cages — 

 Open Stands — Chain and Leg Ring. 



The choice of a cage is important for any bird, but it is 

 much more so for the members of the parrot family than 

 for those of any other kind. This result of my experience, 

 which I have already noticed in my work, *' The Foreign 



c 2 



