| Parrots, and other Psittacine Birds, | | | | owners, especially when obtained at a |
| have been kept as pets for centuries; | | | | young age, 2 to 6 months. |
| since the days of ancient Rome, Greece | | | | Offering a tidbit from the hand (not |
| and other civilizations before them. The | | | | candy or cake), or scratching their head |
| African Grey Parrot was the best known | | | | for them gently, are winning |
| in Europe during those times, and was | | | | suggestions. Various nuts, grated |
| brought in by the merchant galleys. In | | | | hard-boiled egg yolk, celery stalk, a |
| India and China, which had older | | | | small piece of fresh corn on cob, etc., |
| civilizations, the Alexandrine and other | | | | make tempting offerings for the large |
| Asiatic Parrakeets were kept by the | | | | Psittacines. |
| natives. Back in South America, the | | | | Treats with very strong appeal to Hill |
| Incas and other Indian nations kept | | | | Mynahs, Magpies, Crows and English |
| Macaws and the various species of Amazon | | | | Starlings, which they will take from |
| Parrots. | | | | your fingers, are red colored fruits |
| The most recent and most beautifully | | | | such as cherries, a piece of tomato, |
| colored Psittacine Birds known to man | | | | various berries, and they love a drink |
| are the Parrakeets and Cockatoos of the | | | | of milk from the bottle cap. Grapes are |
| Australian Continent, of which 59 | | | | irresistible and some go for mealworms. |
| species are known to science. Australian | | | | Fruit cake is the only kind that should |
| Birds were introduced in Europe only | | | | be offered, dipped in milk for an |
| about 200 years ago. Some of these | | | | occasional treat. |
| Parrakeets are now rare and in danger of | | | | Hunger, one of the strongest instincts, |
| extinction due to the encroachment of | | | | should not be overlooked as a good |
| civilization. | | | | method to use in taming any animal. |
| The best method of preventing the | | | | Another way of taming a wild bird, is to |
| extinction of birds would be to | | | | place the cage right beside you while |
| encourage aviculturists to breed and | | | | reading, writing or sewing. A nervous |
| sell them. In their native habitat | | | | bird will eventually take your presence |
| government protection should be given, | | | | for granted. Birds kept alone, tame more |
| with a specified number permitted to be | | | | readily than when in company of other |
| trapped and sold to bird breeders and | | | | birds. Some of the larger birds enjoy a |
| fanciers each year. Between this natural | | | | little roughing up from their owner as |
| and artificial breeding, a species' | | | | they like attention. This doesn't mean |
| continued existence would be assured. | | | | teasing, which would make a bird |
| Another aid would be artificial | | | | vicious. They do enjoy having their head |
| insemination of birds, which has been | | | | scratched and back stroked. |
| practiced with success by scientists on | | | | With the larger Psittacines, a towel or |
| small birds like the Canary and the | | | | glove should be used at first in |
| Pigeon, as well as on Finches. | | | | handling them till they get used to |
| Before training a bird to talk, it is | | | | their master. They will eventually |
| first necessary to tame it by winning | | | | expect this attention from persons they |
| its confidence, and getting your | | | | know who are near them. |
| presence and that of others acceptable | | | | With a bit of time and perseverance, you |
| to the bird. The larger Psittacine | | | | will be able to tame your parrot and |
| Birds, Hill Mynahs, and the Crow Family, | | | | then to enjoy his company. Good luck! |
| become very tame and attached to their | | | | |