I thought I would write to you about my little bird Billie. He is a
canary of the German breed, and is rather long and slim, but he
sings very sweetly. I think he is the smartest and most intelligent
bird I ever saw outside of a show. I taught him myself to stand on
my finger whenever I put my hand in his cage; and he knows when I
speak to him, for when I call to him, he will turn his head toward
me, as if to say, "What?" I used to make him seesaw on a little
stick with his little companion John, who was blind nearly all his
life, which was very short; and then I would make him hold a little
gun, and balance himself on a ball which I would keep in motion. He
would stand on a little cart, and hold the reins with one claw,
while I drew him around the room, with John, held in a
market-basket, sitting on behind. He seldom tries to fly away, and
I have frequently taken him out-doors in my hands, without fear of
his escaping. Sometimes, for a change, I used to let him swing like
a paroquet in one of my bangles. This I do not think he liked much,
for his tail was so long it was hard for him to keep his balance.
But the most difficult thing that I taught him to do was to lie on
his back and pretend he was asleep. I would lay him down gently,
and after kicking his feet, and trying to grasp my fingers, he
would lie perfectly still until I touched him, when he would jump
up; and then I would have him kiss me, which he can do nicely,
moving his bill all the time. I should like to tell you about John,
who died, we think, on account of his eyes, which, after we had had
him a little time, became covered with white mists, which we think
were cataracts.
A STRONG FRIEND OF
"HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE".
It would be interesting to hear of your method in teaching your pet so
many pretty tricks. I suppose you were very gentle and patient, and that
you taught him one thing perfectly before letting him begin upon
another.
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