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