142 THE CHRONICLES OF A GARDEN. 



ever tempted to wish for a larger space than two acres for 

 enjoyment, it is when one feels that in such a small place 

 there can be no neglected quiet corner, or tangled over- 

 grown clumps of shrubs, where our shy pets might safely 

 nestle and sleep in security. 



As to "pets/' properly so called, it would require a 

 volume to describe those that have been reared, trained, 

 tamed, and fed within the precincts of our small abode. 

 The mere list would appal most j^eople : at different times 

 we have had a succession of dogs, an ichneumon, a coati- 

 mondi, monkeys, rabbits, guinea-pigs, mice, squirrels, 

 hedgehogs, and, occasionally, cats and kittens. In the 

 ornithological department, we have had eagles, hawks, owls, 

 cormorants, seagulls of all kinds, silver-j^heasants, grouse, 

 quails, ravens, rooks, magpies, and jackdaws ; starlings, 

 jays, a cockatoo, parrots, parroquets, pigeons, bantams, and 

 small cage-birds of almost every kind. The chief pecu- 

 liarity about our pets was their tameness, and agreeing in 

 general most wonderfully with one another. The excep- 

 tions to this rule have been the cats, who cannot be trusted 

 with birds or mice ; and English terriers, who chase and 

 torment the other animals, though our other dogs have not 

 only been easily taught to live in peace with all the rest, 

 but have frequently made friendships with some of them. 

 The great secret of training and attaching animals, seems 

 to be kindness and quietness, and a certain sort of friendly 

 intercourse with them, M'hich, perhaps, is only understood 

 by those to the manner born. All teazing them, even in 

 fun, should be avoided, if you wish them to trust you and 



