90 Song Birds. 



CHAPTER X. 



TEACHING YOUNG BIRDS TUNES. 

 1 . IT is fair to begin by saying that in this chapter 

 I write only the experience of others, and what I 

 have accidentally observed in watching their birds, 

 for I have not yet myself given many music lessons. 

 Having generally a good many birds with their 

 natural song, it would have been necessary to banish 

 them from my room, to prevent confusion amongst 

 the scholars ; and, besides, in most cases the sweet 

 little warbler cannot well be improved upon. At the 

 moment I write, however, I have some birds just 

 going into training. The hints collected for their 

 education may be useful to others, and, birds' ways 

 being understood, such advice as is found to be 

 theoretical can be rejected. 



I never mean with my birds to try the starving 

 system. There is no pleasure in making the bird 

 unhappy, and it would only give a sad association to 

 its little tune. My idea is always to play to them 

 while they are at their breakfast, and after they have 

 done eating they are always then much more dis- 

 posed to listen. After their bath again there is a 

 grand twittering time while they are pluming them- 

 selves, and at bedtime there is always an amazing 

 fuss, though I doubt if playing to them then would 

 do any good. 



