TO TAME HIM 33 



looked by keepers of birds. Begin to talk to 

 him, sing or whistle to him, give him some- 

 thing he likes ; in a word, make him feel ac- 

 quainted. He will be as ready to respond to 

 these attentions as a child or a dog, and it 

 will make him as happy. How many birds 

 and other pets live in 1 our houses year after 

 year and get hardly a word or look from us ! 

 They are ignored as if they were wooden im- 

 ages or music machines, instead of fellow- 

 creatures with sentiments and emotions like 

 our own. If you have never tried it, you will 

 be surprised to see how quickly the little fel- 

 low will answer a kind word, how he will 

 wriggle his small body, and show in every 

 movement that he is pleased, that he recipro- 

 cates your good -will. Some birds notably 

 canaries will answer with their sweet call 

 every time you speak, and keep it up as long 

 as you do. 



Let me caution you never to allow a bird to 

 be teased or annoyed. Many boys and men 

 who should know better delight in amusing 

 themselves in that way. It may look droll to 

 see a bird in a rage, scolding, beating his 

 wings, snapping at a finger, and in other ways 



