on taming Parrots.



245



band—sanded, with fresh food and water, and one or two tit-bits,

apple or biscuit, put on the seed. The parrot will probably arrive in

a wooden box. To transfer it just loosen the lid, turn the box gently

on its side, and slide the lid off while holding the box to the open

cage door. If it is a sliding door to the cage tie it up with string

first. Let the bird come out quietly, it will not keep you waiting

long.


When the parrot is inside the cage do not trouble it with too

much attention all at once. It is tired and strange, and to have

many people round it makes a bad start. Just speak to the bird a

little yourself, put it where it can be quiet and yet see to eat and

■drink, and cover its cage over at night, for your room or aviary

will not be as warm as a dealer’s shop.


Next day you may begin the work of taming. Four things

are needed on your part—gentleness, patience, and perseverance,

and the sense to “ go slow ” ; affection is a thing that cannot be

hurried. One more point: if possible wear the same dress when

attending to your birds, or what can the parrot think but that you

have changed your plumage, a fact that in the bird-world might well

arouse grave suspicion. Most of us have an old “aviary coat ” ; it

is as well to keep such a garment, not only for the bird’s sake, but

•on the score of cleanliness. Birds notice more than we imagine. I

■once had a pair of partridges that only loved their former owner when

he wore a certain blue jacket.


For the first day or two after your parrot’s arrival don’t

worry him with too much clearing out of his cage or trying to force

him to be tame, just talk to him when you go near the cage and

put a bit of biscuit between the wires. My own parrots were

especially fond of a square biscuit (flavoured with vanilla) named

“ Nice,” and made, I think, by Huntley and Palmer. When the bird

has found out how good the biscuit is, cease to put it between the

wires and offer it at the same place held in your fingers. If the

bird will not come, take the biscuit away, and try again a little later.

Be sure and give up the biscuit the moment the bird seizes it, for it

will be an effort on his part, just as it is a trial of patience on yours.

After the parrot has learnt to take biscuit freely from your fingers

he must start to learn to come out of his cage. Be sure your door



