TAMING AND TRAINING. 121 



time. It should then be placed upon a finger, ana 

 changed from one to another. It may fly a few 

 times, but should be brought back, and kept upot 

 the hand until the effects of the oil have wholl) 

 passed away, when the bird, finding no harm is in 

 tended, will sit quietly. A few crushed hemp -seed* 

 should be given for its good behavior, and the above 

 repeated from day to day until a satisfactory result 

 is obtained. Hunger will speedily teach a bird to 

 take food from the hand. Place it in a small cage, 

 one that has a door large enough for the hand to pass 

 through, then remove all food. In a few hours try 

 putting a seed-dish into the cage with your hand : if 

 the bird flutters wildly about, and refuses to accept 

 your offering, remove your dish, and wait a few hours 

 longer. You will not be compelled to remain long 

 in suspense, for two or three trials will generally 

 effect a good result. After food has been accepted 

 from the dish, try your hand ; and as soon as you 

 have convinced your pupil that only from you can 

 food be procured, and to you, and you only, must he 

 look for all his goodies, a friendship will be formed 

 which he will not be first to break. Birds that are 

 desired to be tame should be talked to and made 

 of : they should be placed upon your writing-table, 

 and every now and again a little notice taken of 

 them. It is surprising how speedily these little 

 fellows will learn the difference between neglect and 

 attention. Some of the best birds which have been 

 placed on exhibition have been those owned by 

 tailors and shoemakers, who, owing to the nature 



