20 CANARY BIRDS. 



hurt itself if it attempts to leave the hand. 

 The nostrils of the bird are then touched 

 with bergamot, or any other odorous oil, 

 by which it is for a time so stupified as to 

 perch quietly on the finger, or to hop from 

 one finger to another. It may, indeed, at- 

 tempt to fly away once or twice ; but this is 

 not often repeated, especially if the experi- 

 ment be tried in a dark place as, for ex- 

 ample, behind a curtain, which offers the 

 further advantage, that if the bird fall, it is 

 not likely to hurt itself. As soon as it sits 

 quietly on one finger, another finger must 

 be placed in such position as to cause the 

 bird to step upon it, and so soon as it is ac- 

 customed to hop quietly from one finger to 

 another, the main difficulty is overcome. 

 For if when the bird is gradually aroused 

 from its stare of stupefaction he perceives 

 that its teacher does not use it roughly, he 

 will become quite tame. 



