IOO OUR HOME PETS 



rub the top of his head with one finger thrust 

 between the wires, by no means putting your 

 hand in the cage. If he draws away, give it 

 up at once ; never press the point. 



I have, in a previous chapter, spoken of 

 taming a parrot by force, but it is a misuse of 

 terms to call it taming; it is, in fact, subduing 

 by fatigue and hunger. The victim of this 

 treatment is never anything but slavishly obe- 

 dient, and differs radically from the bird who 

 is won and tamed by patience and gentleness. 



If you can give a good deal of time and 

 thought to it, this important taming may be 

 hastened by placing the cage close to your seat, 

 a little lower than your face. The cage for 

 this purpose should be rather small, so that 

 he has not much freedom of motion. Then all 

 the arts of winning above spoken of should 

 be employed, when the captive, with attention 

 concentrated on that one thing, will sooner 

 be conquered. 



After he is thoroughly convinced of your 

 friendship, and no longer shrinks from you, 

 nor shrieks when you approach, begin to teach 

 him ; for he is like a child : if not learning 

 something good, he will be picking up some- 



