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AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



timid, defenseless creature whose life for ages has depended chiefly 

 upon ability to fly. Surrounded by enemies a bird naturally interprets 

 any quick movements as a hostile act. Any careless or hostile act may 

 make the bird, which would otherwise seek us, "wild" for life. There- 

 fore, in taming birds two things are absolutely necessary. First, we 



must offer them tempting food. Second, we must approach them in a 

 careful and apparently unconcerned manner. Do not hastily pursue 

 them or make cjuick movements with the hands or arms. When you 

 seek to tame a bird first encourage it, if possible, by oflfering food, to 

 frequent some place which may be easily approached and then visit the 

 place alone and as quietly as possible until you are able to offer it food 

 from your hand. By thus approaching a bird you offer the best in- 

 ducements for gaining its confidence. 



But all birds can not be tamed. Only certain individuals of a few 

 species have been known to alight upon and take food from the hand. 

 Such birds can only be found by careful experiment and much patience. 



During^the month of October 1903, I noticed that a family of three 

 Chickadees came several times each day to inspect the fruit trees about 



