Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-05-15
HOW PERFORMING BIRDS ARE
TAUGHT.

a "con;uror" who is performing in
! Hartford, explains to tho Courant the
| manner in which his birds and mice
wcro taught their tricks.
There is as much difference in tho
disposition and rcceptiyoncss Of birds,
as thcro is in human persons. Even
an experienced bird trainer is unable
to say with certainty of now bird
that he can teach him this or that
feat. One bird may show q natural
aptitude and fitness for ladder per
formanccs, another for drawing q
wagon, still aHo'hor for firing n can.
non, and n fourth for rope walking.
These little pcculiarities and idiosyn-
cracics of the bird-mind havo to be
consulted and tho training governed
by thom. Tho litto canary which
goes up and down tho ladder was cigh.
teen months before it developed any
genius for anything. Finally the lad
dor feat was thought of, and tho little
follow ac1uicsccd, aud ls now a star
| performer in TINT branch of bird gym.
nastics. On tho other hand, the
beautiful Australian paroquot which
draws tho littlo carriage containing
two other birds, and harnesses and
unharncsses himself at the word Of
command, has only becn in training 4
few weeks, and another which has
just entered in tho samo department.
already displays eroat proficiency.
Tho means adopted by tho great ma
gician to make tho littlo fellow thrust
his head through tho collar and draw,
arc worry amusing. The paroquets
havo Il strange weakness for biting,
and arc apt to seize persons fingor
in their beaks, when opportunity pro-
sents. Tho trainer takes advantage
OF this propensity, and having placed
him between the shafts of tho minia~
turo barouchc, presents his fngor just
outside tho collar. Instantly the bird
runs his head through and scizes the
hnger. The trainer skilfuIly discnga.
gcs it, and tho little bird starts on O.
home run for its cage, drawing the
wagon. A little experience teaches
him to discngage his head before
reaching the cage, in time to prev vont
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 imposition
Of the alluring finger.
This same patient and preserving
system is employed in teaching "the
young idea how to shoot" the little
cannon. His Java sparrows arc train
ed for his labor. The first thing is to
teach them to hop upon tho little bar
which let's tho match fall on tho pow
dor. This thoroughly learned, tho
next step is TO accustom thom to the
smoke Of tho fuse without flying
away. Then comes the hardest task
of ALTO teach the little fellows stea-
diness under fire, that they may stand
at their post without wincing or mo-
wing after the shook and noise of tho
discharge. This, of course, requires
immense patience and innumerable
trials, but at last the bird learns his
duty and stands TO his gun like vot-
eran artillerist. By similar means is
the education of tho bird foigning
death, rope walking, and like feats
accomplished.
The mice: pretty little white fol-
lows, with pink eyes like rabbits, have
their proper system Of training
They are induced to climb ropes or
poles by placing them at the base, and
heading thcm in the right direction,
and gently pinching their long tails.
They are led to carry flag in their
mouths by presenting tho staff before
their mouths repeatedly, and finally
tho mouse expects to fnd tho little
staff ready for him at tho top of the
pole, so he takes tho one he finds
lightly inserted there and brings it
down. In NIL these transactions, tho
only means employed are kindness
and unwearying patience. Birds and
mico ore kept woll fed. There is no
appeal to hunger, and of course they
cannot bo punished in any way.
Tho big cat which occupies tho
cage in common with tho birds and
mice, is an ilktempcred brute, and was
only prevailed upon to forego his de-
signs of subsisting on the other ocsu.
pants of the cage by constant watch
ing, and repeated application of a
small hot wire 10 his nose, when he
manifested his Intentions. He ex-
hausts his whole talent in firing of a
cannon and wearing a brass collar
with bell attached. y l3-,.
VIM. G. Rives, formerly United
States, ,Mipiater. to Franco, and Sena.
tor from Virginia,. died ia Charlottes.
| Vile, Va, April .26th, aged seventy.