IO4 OUR HOME PETS 



understood that they are also stronger in their 

 attachments, for, having fewer objects to in- 

 terest them, they set their whole heart on one 

 they love. 



To break a bird of a bad habit or of using 

 an offensive sentence is hard, but it may often 

 be done by persistent effort and never-chang- 

 ing kindness. Perfect content and happiness, 

 and a good deal of attention in the way of be- 

 ing talked to and amused, will generally break 

 up the habit of screaming, which is frequently 

 acquired from the confusion in a bird store, 

 where every one tries to out-shriek his neigh- 

 bor, or may be the result of loneliness or an 

 unoccupied mind. 



If he is to be cured of any trick, it must 

 never be laughed at. Some people will laugh 

 at the naughty doings of a child or a parrot, 

 which at the same time they wish to correct. 

 As with a child, laughing at it is fatal to the 

 hope of curing it. The bird understands as 

 well as the baby that it is a funny or a smart 

 thing to do or say, and the task of the trainer 

 is thereby made much harder. 



Better than to laugh or take much notice of 

 it, is to divert the bird by something interest- 



