38 OUR HOME PETS 



birds may think a great deal of company 

 for you. 



To tame a bird completely, you must keep 

 but one. These little fellows are very quick 

 and strong in their feelings. If one really 

 loves you, he will not tolerate a rival in your 

 affections, and he will never be truly fond of 

 you if you divide your attentions. Some birds 

 are intensely jealous, not only of other birds, 

 but of young children and babies. Indeed, 

 to get his best out of one, either in affec- 

 tion, in intelligent acts, or in song, you must 

 have him alone, and you will find that you 

 must win his heart by love and kindness, just 

 as you do bigger hearts about you. Once 

 won, however, he is more loving and more 

 constant than many people of your own size. 



A bird and other animals, no less than a 

 dog, will pine in the absence of the loved 

 one, and will die from a harsh word. Cases 

 of this kind have been authenticated too of- 

 ten to be ignored or denied. We deal with 

 tender and loving hearts within these feath- 

 ered frames, and we should be thoughtful 

 and loving in our care. Above all, we should 

 be gentle. Think what suffering our noisy 



