The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-08-28
TEACHING crows TO TALK.
They Discount Parrots and Are Heap
More Fun.

\
More Fun.
Crows make very amusing pets for any
one who can put up with their innate
spirit of deviltry, and besides that they
can be taught to talk more distinctly than
most parrots. 1t is common idea
among the country people that they will
not talk unless their tongues are cut at a
certain tender age. Be that as it may,
have heard crows talk excellently that
never had their tongues cut, and some
whose tongues are cut never will talk at
all. always take my chances without
cutting, and out Of nearly dozen that
have owned only two proved devoid of q
bump of language.
To be sure of having q good, affection
ate crow, take him from the nest as soon
after Matching as you can find him. II
It is the first Of the brood hatched, all the
better. How are you to tell that? Why,
if you find one baby crow and four eggs
in the nest, does not that settle the ques-
tion beyond dispute? Name him as soon
as you get home. 1t is a good plan to
have family consultation on this SUBJ
ject, for a rechristening is fatal to the
proper education Of your callow charge.
Always call him by name whenever you
feed him. He will learn his name be-
fore he knows what feathers are, and re-
spond to it whenever he hears it uttered.
Feed, until half fedged, on meal and
water-regular "chicken dough"-and il
any chicken sioknesses" come on con-
suit the chicken doctor" In other
words, the young crow must be raised on
about the same diet as young chicken.
Feed plenty and feed often. A crows
nest is the best thing thing to keep him
in during his infantile days. If you
haven't one make a substitute. AS he
grows in strength and is able to travel
about little he needs more variety in
his food, but be careful he does not swal-
low anything that is. very salt. Dump
handful Of gravel down his mouth occa-
sionally, and give him minnows and frogs
once in a while. Swallowing his first
live frog seems to give a young crow
most agreeable new sensation. Do not
be in any hurry about making him bathe.
He will wash himself whenever it is nec-
essary, and If taken and plunged into
cold water while the pin feathers are full
of blood, it may cause him to literally
"catch his death of cold" As soon as
he is well on the wing his language les
sons should begin. Shut him up in a
darkened room when well fed, and begin
by whispering the word or phrase you
wish him to learn. If he seems to be
listening repeat it little louder, and con-
tinue until he either grows restless or goes
to sleep. 1t will be but few minutes.
Repeat the same lesson and nothing else
every time you visit him or pass within
hearing for week or 10 days, and il
your crow doesn't talk in that time he
probably never will. Generally they will
begin to practice to themselves the first
or second day Of their imprisonment, but
once q word or phrase is learned
others will quickly follow. If really tai
ented, you can make your crow appear
to answer a question. For instance, call
his name gently and add "what," in a
loud, emphatic tone. Soon, when his
name is called, he will respond "what"
with Just the same emphasis aud ,,inflec-
ton that he has heard you give. Then,
again, il you say ITS dinner time"
whenever you feed him, some day he will
walk into the house hungry and gravely
announce, "It's dinner time"
As he grows in years and knowledge
your crow will develop variety Of thiev-
ing and amusing tricks, too numerous to
mention. He will cultivate the most
friendly acquaintance with some people
and show unaccountable animosity to-
ward others. He will attend you part
way whenever you leave home, and if
your hours of return are regular, will
probably meet you at the same spot and
welcome you exuberantly. Every time
he fails to do 80 look for him at once, he
will either be in some utterly enhancing
bit of mischief or else dead