The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-19
Method of Tanning Birds

Last fall, when the pelicans got their usual wanderlust and got ready to mil grate south for the winter, Mrs. Bath placed metal bands on their legs with her name and address. She Is now wait Ing patiently to see whether or not the big birds will return to ner place when they migrate back north in the spring time.
 Here is Mrs Baths story of tanning the birds, told to the Oregonian;
 Having been raised in a country which abounds with wild birds I naturally have come to know them and to love them I have learned of their habits of life and have always taken great interest in trying to make pets of them I have found that it is the easiest thing in the world. All it requires is patience, confi- dence and kindness.
 For the past two years I have triad to make every one he.e understand that If they are on the river they must not molest or frighten any or the wild birds, and l am pleased to state that the birds very soon noticed the friendly interest This was particularly emphasized when SIX beautiful pelicans came and very plainly tried to make us understand that they would be glad to stay here. I im
 mediately cautioned every one to be ex
 tremely careful not to frighten them in any way They seemed to be full grown and as near as could tell were probably early spring birds and parents, as 1t was
 about the first of August when they came.
 '1 got some live chubs and held then, up Tor the inspection of the pelieans and they at once became very much interested By careful coaxing they came a little nearer each day. l fed them every day ana was careful not 60 frighten them Finally l coaxed them to eat from my hands, and after days of patient working Witn them was delighted to have one of them fly on the dock and stand and look at me
 Fortunately had fish in my hands ane held it SO 1t could see 1t. He seemed determined to get that fish and followed me a block walking after me T hnaliy gave him the fish and stood per-
 fectly still and gave h.m plenty of time 10 walk to the edge of the dock and get tack In the water, without startling him Tn any way I knew then that he would come back, for I could tell by his actions that l had his confidence
 He came back every day about the same time, and I always was there with fish for him After 10 days of patient Worklng With him was rewarded by having first one and then the rest come on the dock and follow me anywhere 'I always let them make all the ad- vances, and In trying to tame any It. tie Wild thing one must never get in hurry and try to force things in any way They knew my voice and any time of day or night. if they were in
 nearing distance. they would come when called them.
 My call is Chick! Chickr just as if were calling domestic chickens. 'l nave tanned coot grebe divers gulls and 8 few wild ducks. can call the coot any time of day. and just as
 far as they can hear me they will come flying to me.
 T had four coot that would feed from
 my hands. About a week ago they all seemed very wild and could not un
 derstand till found that some man had caught two of them and let his bird dog play with them. He didn't allow the dog to hurt them, but 1t will take
 weeks to restore their confidence in
 human beings. I am very much handf- | capped and am working under diff
 culties for we live in the city ana
 thoughtless people will undo the work l of weeks in a minute.
 Klamath Falls really has a unio,,a attraction-wild birds. Last spring
 saw over 50 wild young ducks that had
 been matched near the bridge in the
 city. It seems remarkable to me. for
 I think wild duck Is one of the wild
 est of all wild birds, and to have them
 nest here in the city I consider q very
 unusual occurrence.
 Tt took me over four weeks to get
 the attention of pair of wild ducks.
 or to have them understand the mean ing of the call, but they finally under stood and came close to me. T put aluminium tags on two of tho pelicans with my name, date and ad
 dress on them and I am really very ] turn"
 The Lower Klamath. lake region used