TRAINING AND TREATMENT. 
27 
avoided. Let the perch be at least a third bigger in the middle 
than at the ends, tapering gradually. This will afford the bird 
considerable ease, and tempt him to change his footing. 
The macaw cage should be cylindrical, and at least three 
feet and a half in diameter, and six feet high. Unless the blue 
macaw has at least this space for exercise, he will speedily get 
diseased feet, and be liable to fits. Its excrement is particu- 
larly offensive, and should be removed at least twice a day. He 
is fond of bathing, and if not indulged with plenty of water for 
this purpose, his close plumage will soon swarm with parasites. 
When this is the case, the bird should be well syringed with a 
solution of white precipitate, and furnished afterwards with a 
tepid bath, as the precipitate is poison, and might be pecked 
off by the bird if allowed to remain. 
CHAPTEE IX. 
TRAINING AND TREATMENT. 
There can be no doubt that the best way to win the affec- 
tions either of a reasoning or an unreasoning animal is to treat 
it with gentleness. This is true as. regards all grades, from the 
Indian savage to the performing canary. Approach them 
with harsh or threatening gestures, and Nature will immediately 
prompt them to stand on the defensive ; approach them with a 
soft word and kind look, and they are, if not at once subdued, 
ready to listen to anything you are about to say or do. 
This is particularly true of the parrot. You may depend 
on it, the impression you make during the first three or four 
interviews will be lasting, whichever way it tends. As a rule, 
parrots will learn quicker from women than men, and quicker 
still from children. Vieillot had in his possession a grey parrot 
which he never dared approach without having his hands 
covered with leather gloves, and yet the bird was in all respects 
obedient to Madame Vieillot. He further states that a female 
of the same species was, on the contrary, peculiarly attached to 
himself and indifferent to the caresses of his wife. 
I believe the very best way to teach all birds to speak is 
to keep quite out of sight while you are giving a lesson. I 
know of nearly a dozen birds of various sorts who have been 
