TAMING AND TRAINING. Il5 



of their business, could keep their feathered pupils 

 constantly with them. 



Thus far I have spoken only of taming these 

 " little dewdrops.'*' They are capable of still greater 

 things, and can, with little or no coercion, be taught 

 to perform many amusing tricks. The goldfinch 

 and siskin may be taught to fire off small cannon, 

 to imitate death, to draw up their food and water in a 

 little bucket. The apparatus consists of two lines 

 of broad, soft leather, in which there are four holes, 

 through which their feet and wings are passed, and 

 the ends are held together beneath the belly by a 

 ring, to which is attached a delicate chain that sup- 

 ports the buckets containing the food and drink. 

 A bird thus equipped will draw up the chain by its 

 beak, retaining the draw links by its feet, and thus 

 succeeds in obtaining what he wishes. A cage can 

 be made with a bay-window, in the floor of which 

 have a hole : across this place a narrow bridge of 

 wood, to which attach a small chain or piece of cord 

 to hold the bucket, which should be about the size 

 of a thimble. By drawing up the bucket filled with 

 water, and letting the bird drink, then lowering it 

 and pulling it part way up, he will soon acquire the 

 habit of working at it. And, by gradually leaving 

 a longer and longer length of chain between the 

 bridge and the bucket, the bird will soon discover 

 that he must pull the chain up into the cage, and 

 hold it after it is there ; and he readily comprehends 

 the necessity of holding the chain with his foot. A^ 

 soon as this is done, his education is complete, 



