CH. XXX. TRAINING OF WILD ANIMALS. 153 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Taming and Education of Wild Animals — The Eagle; his 

 want of docility — Courage and Intelligence of the Noble 

 Falcons — The Hound — Eeturn of Cats to their home — 

 Maternal Instinct of Cats — The Carrier-Pigeon — Wood- 

 Pigeons ■ — Dovecot-Pigeons — Sight of Pigeons — Blue-rock 

 Pigeons — Crested Titmouse — The Robin ; pugnacious dis- 

 position of — Sparrows ; impudence of. 



Almost every wild animal is more or less capable 

 of being reclaimed, and rendered, if not of actual 

 use to us, at least an object of interest and amuse- 

 ment. In all attempts to educate them, patience 

 and temper on the part of the teacher is the first 

 requisite. If fortunately he be endowed with this 

 important qualification, he will scarcely find any bird 

 or beast so wild or so obstinate " ut non mitescere 

 possit.'" But some, it must be admitted, scarcely 

 repay the labour bestowed upon them. The eagle 

 can be tamed, but to no great extent. Naturally 

 of a greedy and craving disposition, he is not to be 

 depended upon at all times ; and though he may 

 show a certain degree of affection for his keeper, he 

 can seldom be safely approached by strangers. 

 An eagle, although he may have been trained for 



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