Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-02-26
How Birds are Taught,


Hartford, explains to the Courant the
manner in which his birds and mice are
taught their tricks -
There is as much difference in the dis
position and receptiveness of birds as
there IS IN human persons. Even an
experienced bird trainer is unable to
say with certainty of new bird that
he can teach him this or that feat.
One bird may show a natural anti
tude and fitness for ladder perform.
ances, another for drawing wagon.
still another for firing cannon, and a
fourth for rope-walking. These little
Peculiarities and idiosyncracies of the
bird-mind have to be consulted, and
the training governed by them. The
little canary, which goes up and down
7 the ladder, was eighteen months
before it developed any genius for any
thing.
Finally the ladder feat was thought
of; and the little fellow acquiesced.
and IS now star performer in that
branch of bird gymnastics. On the
other hand, the beautiful Australian
paroquet, which draws the little car
rage containing two other birds. and
harnesses and unharnesses himself at
the word of command, has only been
IN training few weeks and another
who has just entered the same depart
ment already shows proficiency. The
means adopted to make the little fell
low thrust his head through the collar
and draw, are very amuseing. These
/ Paroquets have a strong inclination
tor biting, and seize persons finger
IN their beaks, when opportunity pre-
sents. The trainer takes advantage
OF this propensity and, having placed
INN between the shafts Of the minia-
/ ture barouche, presents his finger last
/ outside the collar. Instantly the bird
runs hls head through and seizes the
finger. The trainer skillfully olsen.
/ cages It, and the little bird starts on
a home-run for its cage, drawing the
wagon \ little experience teaches
/ hIm to disengage his head before
reaching the cage, in time to prevent
! humping it; and he hops into the door
/ IN triumph. This lesson repeated
again and again, he soon learns what
Is expected of him, and performs his
allotted duty without the interposi-
! ton Of the alluring finger
The same patient and persevering
/ system is employed in teaching the
/ young idea how to shoot" the little
cannon. The Java sparrows are train
ed for this labor. The first thing is
to teach them to hop upon the little
bar which lets the match fall on the
/ powder. This thoroughly learned. the
next step IS to accustom them to the
smoke OF the fuse without flying away.
Then comes the hardest task of all
/ TO teach the little fellows steadiness
under fire, that they may stand at
/ their posts without wincing or moving
after the shock and noise of DISCHARGE.
This, Of course, requires great patience
and many trials; but at last the bird
learns his duty and stands to his gun
like veteran artillerist By similar
means is the education of the birds. in
/ feigning death, rope-walking and like
teats, accomplished.
The mice, pretty, little, white fell
lows, with pink ewes like rabbits. have
their proper system of training. They
are induced to climb ropes or poles bv
placing them at the base. heading
them IN the right direction. and ientlv
/ pinchimg their long tails They are
led to carry flag in their mouths by
repeatedly presenting the staff before
them; and, finally. the mouse expects
to find little staff ready for him at
the top of the pole, so he takes the
one he finds lightly inserted there and
/ brings it down
In all these transactions, the only
means employed are kindness ana
unwcarviug patience. Birds and mice
are we'll ted. There is no appeal to
hunger, and of course they cannot be
punished in any way.
The big cat, which occupies the
cage in common with the birds and
mice. Is an ill-tempered brute; and
was only prevailed upon to forego his
design of subsisting on the other occu-
pants of the cage by constant watch
ing and repeated application of small,
hot wire to his nose. when he manifest
/ ed his intentions. He exhausts his
whole talent in firing off a cannon and
wearing brass collar with bell at
taehed.