98 OUR HOME PETS 



When the love of an intelligent parrot is 

 really won, no bird can give so much satisfac- 

 tion as a pet. But he must be first tamed, then 

 won, then taught ; his bad habits must be cor- 

 rected ; his health must be established. 



To accomplish all this requires care and 

 patience, as well as a knowledge of the best 

 method of treatment. 



Begin with his taming. If you take a bird 

 from a dealer, you will probably find at once 

 that he is not friendly ; he will either be 

 frightened, and squawk or scream when you 

 come near him, or he will show temper, scold, 

 and try to bite. 



Your first step is to convince him that you 

 are his friend, that you will neither tease nor 

 hurt him. This is to be done, first, last, and 

 all the time, as with other pets, by gentleness, 

 quiet ways, and unvarying kindness. If you 

 indulge in any violence in the room with a 

 parrot, if you speak loud or sharply, whether 

 to him or to any one else, if you tease him, if 

 you "fly at him," bang his door or your own, 

 or if you allow any one to do these things, 

 you will never have a gentle, pleasing house- 

 mate. 



