The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-05
Teaching Canaries Tricks.

Patience and continual instruction only
can teach bird tricks. Because it some
times gives no outward sign of imitation
is not to be accepted as belief that it is
not learning. 1t is prac ticing the trick
in private, and not until perfect rehear-
sal will it give public exhibition. To
teach bird to kiss hold him tightly,
chatting in soothing tones till he is
quiet; then kiss the bill repeatedly, still
soothing him with gentle talk. Kiss the
bill again and again till he ceases to
struggle in fear of the salute; then
bestow final one-a kiss Of appreciation
and release him to partake of his en-
joyment Repeat this the next day
several times day if you wish to teach
him quickly-and he soon resorts to this
performance as method of coaxing,
opening and closing his bill between
your lips exactly as you have done by
him; 50 nearly us bird imitation is posi-
BILE. If he picks your lips do no notice
it before him. The cage of nervous
bird should never be touched without
calling the tenants attention, because,
being always engaged in some project,
an abrupt action starts him just as it
would a human being who is come upon
suddenly.
To teach him to sit upon your finger,
draw chair up near the cage, hold a
conference with him, and then introduce
ing a finger between the wires near his
faVorite perch, hold it there, patiently
reading your book or paper meanwhile.
The new object showing no disposition
to harm him, he goes up cautiously for an
examination. Then he picks it to ascer-
tain the material-maybe he fights it.
This is q good sign. He no longer fears
it. Repay him with some choice morsel
and cheerful words for his courage. Try
him again in the afternoon. He may 60
further and light on it. Possibly the
trick may take several days. Be patient.
Once the step is attained, vary the pro-
gramme by Introducing the finger into
other spots. He will soon light on it at
any point or angle. Next try thrusting
the fingers under the door. Next time
fasten it open, blocking egress with the
rest of the hand as one finger extends
within. When he perches on it draw him
forth a little way. Next tempt him to
perch outside q little, and go on. In q
short time you but have to open the cage
door, uplift q finger and he is sure to fly
for it, and he may be thus called to any
part of the room to rest on the familiar
perch.
To eat from the fingers let him hun
ger several days for some favorite dainty
say fig. Show him one; disregard
his elation; do not let him have it.
Spread few seeds over the end of your
finger and offer them close by his perch,
allowing him plenty of time for specu.
lation. Soon be will snatch off a seed
or two. If he utterly refuses, put him
sadly away, leaving the fig where he may
see it. Next day try again; he'll take
one or more. That will do. Do not
plague him any longer. Give him a
piece of fig in the cage, and leave him
alone until next day. He may feel in
dependent, being surfeited, aid refuse
to pick. No matter; put him away
without his fig. The next day he is
sure to pick all off the fingers. Praise
the act and reward him. After that it
is plain sailing Cincinnati Enquirer.