| Parrots, and other Psittacine Birds, have been kept as | | | | to 6 months. |
| pets for centuries; since the days of ancient Rome, | | | | Offering a tidbit from the hand (not candy or cake), |
| Greece and other civilizations before them. The | | | | or scratching their head for them gently, are winning |
| African Grey Parrot was the best known in Europe | | | | suggestions. Various nuts, grated hard-boiled egg |
| during those times, and was brought in by the | | | | yolk, celery stalk, a small piece of fresh corn on cob, |
| merchant galleys. In India and China, which had older | | | | etc., make tempting offerings for the large |
| civilizations, the Alexandrine and other Asiatic | | | | Psittacines. |
| Parrakeets were kept by the natives. Back in South | | | | Treats with very strong appeal to Hill Mynahs, |
| America, the Incas and other Indian nations kept | | | | Magpies, Crows and English Starlings, which they will |
| Macaws and the various species of Amazon Parrots. | | | | take from your fingers, are red colored fruits such as |
| The most recent and most beautifully colored | | | | cherries, a piece of tomato, various berries, and they |
| Psittacine Birds known to man are the Parrakeets | | | | love a drink of milk from the bottle cap. Grapes are |
| and Cockatoos of the Australian Continent, of which | | | | irresistible and some go for mealworms. Fruit cake is |
| 59 species are known to science. Australian Birds | | | | the only kind that should be offered, dipped in milk |
| were introduced in Europe only about 200 years ago. | | | | for an occasional treat. |
| Some of these Parrakeets are now rare and in | | | | Hunger, one of the strongest instincts, should not be |
| danger of extinction due to the encroachment of | | | | overlooked as a good method to use in taming any |
| civilization. | | | | animal. |
| The best method of preventing the extinction of | | | | Another way of taming a wild bird, is to place the |
| birds would be to encourage aviculturists to breed | | | | cage right beside you while reading, writing or sewing. |
| and sell them. In their native habitat government | | | | A nervous bird will eventually take your presence for |
| protection should be given, with a specified number | | | | granted. Birds kept alone, tame more readily than |
| permitted to be trapped and sold to bird breeders | | | | when in company of other birds. Some of the larger |
| and fanciers each year. Between this natural and | | | | birds enjoy a little roughing up from their owner as |
| artificial breeding, a species' continued existence | | | | they like attention. This doesn't mean teasing, which |
| would be assured. Another aid would be artificial | | | | would make a bird vicious. They do enjoy having |
| insemination of birds, which has been practiced with | | | | their head scratched and back stroked. |
| success by scientists on small birds like the Canary | | | | With the larger Psittacines, a towel or glove should |
| and the Pigeon, as well as on Finches. | | | | be used at first in handling them till they get used to |
| Before training a bird to talk, it is first necessary to | | | | their master. They will eventually expect this |
| tame it by winning its confidence, and getting your | | | | attention from persons they know who are near |
| presence and that of others acceptable to the bird. | | | | them. |
| The larger Psittacine Birds, Hill Mynahs, and the Crow | | | | With a bit of time and perseverance, you will be able |
| Family, become very tame and attached to their | | | | to tame your parrot and then to enjoy his company. |
| owners, especially when obtained at a young age, 2 | | | | Good luck! |