CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
143 
both pulpy, like cherries^ grapes^ and pears ; and hard; like 
nutSj and the kernels of onr native plums, peaches, 
They imist have water to drink and bathe in ; as much sun- 
shine as can be given them ; and^ above all, they must be 
kept warin. The room which they inhabit should always 
have a fire if the weather is at all chilly ; and it is best^ at 
all events in v/inter, to cover their cages at night with a cap 
of green baize or flannel. Encourage them to take as much 
exercise as the limits of their prison will allow : if chained to 
a perch, which is the best mode of keeping the larger kinds^ 
let their chain be of a good length, and as light as a due 
regard to strength will allow : it must be of metal, or they 
will soon sever it with their powerful mandibles. If you can 
give them an aviary well stocked with orange and myrtle 
trees, and other plants which are indigenous to warm 
climates, and supplied in the winter with flues and other 
contrivances for increasing the temperature, so much the 
better, as this is the nearest approach to a state of liberty 
which can be made. 
Let all that you do to these birds be done with gentleness 
and kindness; on no nccount threaten or attempt to chastise 
them ; gain their confidence, win their affection, and you 
may do anything with them 3 frighten them, or arouse their 
anger, and all your efforts to teach or train them will be 
unavailing ] they will be either shy and timid, or sullen and 
spiteful; yoiu* caresses they vvill reciprocate, and if you 
please them will endeavour to please you ; and they will also 
return in kind, as far as they are able, any ill usngo to which 
you may subject them. In this respect bird nature is pretty 
much like human nature; but there is this difference in the 
cases ; the unfeathered biped, if punished, may bo made to 
understand the reasonableness of it, and be reconciled to the 
infliction, because salutary, though bitter : the feathered 
biped cannot. We have dwelt longer upon this part of om" 
subject than may to some seem necessary, but we have done 
so from a conviction that much suffering has resulted to 
domesticated birds, and parrots especially, and much annoy- 
ance and disappointment to those who have kept them, from 
want of a due regard to the feelings and predilections of 
these beautiful and often wayward creatures. Children are 
freq'',2ntly suffered to teaze and annoy them, servants t3 
