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