72 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



scarcely desirable, except in a collection, as it is neither clever nor 

 possessed of any striking characteristics of its own. 



Of Maccaws it is not needful to speak. Whoever that loves 

 parrots could be long -without a maccaw ? It is part of my duty, 

 however, to warn the reader to think twice about it before taking^ 

 charge of such a pet ; for it is certainly not the most desirable 

 amongst the many parrots that are at command for the private house- 

 hold. The Red and Blue Macaw is the grandest of the family, and 

 as teachable as any. The Blue and Yellow is grand, but scarcely so 

 pleasing in appearance. The green is beautiful, and somewhat more 

 noisy than the rest. They look best and enjoy life best on poles. 

 If kept in cages, the disposition and power of the bird to destroy 

 must bd thought of in time, or the cage will soon be torn to 

 pieces. 



In selecting parakeets and lories, beauty of appearance is the 

 principal matter to consider. The delicate Nymphacus, the Eose- 

 ringed Parakeet, and the Zebra Parakeets, or Budgeregars, of Aus- 

 tralia, are especially pleasing, and adapted for domestication. The 

 little Eed and Blue-headed Parakeet is very tameable, and may be 

 trained to go in and out of its cage as it pleases. 



In the management of these birds careful feeding is, of course, 

 of the very first importance. Tliis part of the subject, however, is 

 likely to obtain attention whei'e what may be called the moral treat- 

 ment is neglected. As to food, then, I shall merely remark that the 

 best staple food is canary-seed, or maize slightly softened by steeping 

 an hour or two in hot water. Hemp-seed should be given sj^aringly, 

 and at intervals ; it is too heating to be supplied in any plenty. 

 Grey parrots like fresh bread and milk, wliich answers in place of 

 water ; but all parrots that are not supplied with bread and milk 

 should have fresh water every day. 



One of the first requisites of the moral training is to win the 

 confidence of the bird. To say that kindness will ensure this 

 happy result would be to say too little. Tou must be frequently 

 near the bird, talking to it, observing its ways, and, as far as may 

 be safe, making free with it, but always in a gentle and quiet man- 

 ner. I have made very rapid progress with young wild birds by 

 stroking their heads and shoulders with a feather. They soon 

 learned to look for the feather. Then I would compel them to come 

 close to the wires to reach the feather, and I would draw the feather 

 back in my hand, so that at last I could scratch the pupil's poll with 

 my finger ; and thenceforward training and teaching became easy 

 work, or rather a pleasant pastime. Towards dusk is the time to 

 begin to teach a half- wild bird ; they are not then in a snappish 

 humour, and the wretched dithering (I know not what else to call 

 it) that an untamed parrot indulges in best part of the day is over, 

 and it is disposed to listen and observe. 



One of the most important of all the points in the moral 

 management is to provide the bird with amusement. I have all 

 the cotton-reels saved for the parrots, and they look for them as a 

 daily treat, the enjoyment consisting, of course, in tearing the reels 

 to pieces. The employment prevents gnawing of perches, and 



