194 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 
and then, if it is a soft-food eater, the insects and fruit 
can be mixed with soft food to get it used to this. The 
perch should run from end to end ina cage used for 
taming birds, so that, when the front is uncovered 
as the bird eats well, it always looks its owner in the 
face, and sees that he feedsit. Thus it will acquire some 
confidence, and soon get tame if not incautiously ap- 
proached or frightened. 
HANDLING Birpbs. 
Most ordinary cage-birds, like Finches or Parrots, 
should be held gently by the neck, this being passed 
between the fore and middle fingers with a small bird, 
the body lying in the palm of the hand. In this posi- 
tion the bird is quite helpless, and cannot hurt itself. 
In handling Parrots care must be taken to get a good 
hold, or the bird will manage to bite; a cloth over the 
hand is useful. Doves must be taken in the hand bodily ; 
their necks are too slender and delicate to hold them by 
especially considering the strength of their wings used in 
resistance. If it be desired to open a bird’s beak to 
make it swallow food, &c., this should be done by prizing 
it open at the side near the root, with some blunt flat 
instrument ; or the bird, if not possessed of a formid- 
able beak, may be induced to bite one’s hand. Birds 
should never be handled or caught if it can be avoided, but 
if tame enough to be touched they much enjoy having 
their heads tickled. If they have to be caught in a large 
cage or aviary a hand-net should be used; or a quite 
small bird may be douched with water, 
