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not to frighten the bird unnecessarily. When one 

 remembers what the "unfortunate" has most probably 

 undergone at the hands of a none too gentle nigger, it 

 is not difficult to imagine what sentiments the approach 

 of a human being, white or black, must inspire in the 

 parrot's breast. The only effectual punishment, which 

 at the same time does not spoil a parrot's temper, is 

 the covering up of the cage. This generally is a 

 speedy method, and indeed I have cured a chronic 

 screamer in this simple way. Having got the bird to 

 know you well enough not to scream at your approach, 

 you can commence her real education. Let her get 

 graduall}^ accustomed to your hand, at first outside the 

 cage. Go gently and by degrees you can try to stroke 

 her. At this period you are almost sure to get a pinch. 

 The greatest mistake is to draw your hand away sud- 

 denly. If you are going to be pecked you may as well 

 show the bird you are not afraid, and the more you 

 trust a parrot the more it will trust you. At the same 

 time, like dogs, parrots seem to recognise if one 

 is afraid of them, and certainly one hears more of 

 timid people getting bitten. The parrot really only 

 digs at the hands in defence, and to drive what must 

 appear a very strange object out of her cage. If she 

 finds a peck will not do this she will soon give it up. 

 At the same time I should not care to handle a parrot 

 until it showed no shrinking from my hand outside the 

 cage, nor should I advise anyone else to try it. When 

 however you feel she no longer fears you, put her cage 

 on the floor and, provided her wing is cut, which 

 operation should be performed before you start taming, 

 let her come out. Her invariable course is a " bee 

 line " for the top of the cage. Now offer your finger as 



