IV 



TO TAME HIM 



THERE are three, yes four, possible degrees 

 in our relations with a bird. In the first, his 

 fear is overcome ; in the second, he is made 

 happy ; in the third, he is tamed ; in the 

 fourth, he is humanized. 



The first step of his progress, which in the 

 majority of cases he never gets beyond, is es- 

 sential to his comfort and our own, and the 

 sooner it is taken the better. I have already 

 suggested in a previous chapter that the cage 

 of a very wild bird, until he gets accustomed 

 to our presence, should be covered. Not until 

 he can endure to see people about him with- 

 out going into a panic, can the first step be 

 taken. 



A good way to do this is to place the cage 

 on the table or desk beside you, going on with 

 your occupation as usual, and not often look- 

 ing at him. That is, if your occupation is a 



