30 DOES A YOUNG BIRD MOULT? 



always a good rule to take the nest from the cage, 

 and keep the young birds in it, covering them over 

 slightly until they are well feathered. 



We are often asked the question, — 



"Does a Young Bird moult?" — Our answer 

 is, Yes. A young bird is usually in full feather 

 at the age of six weeks (we will here state, that, 

 when he is four weeks old, he will swell up his 

 throat, and try to warble ; and by this you can tell 

 the males from the females) ; and, when he is in full 

 feather, he commences to moult, or shed his body- 

 feathers. The wing and tail feathers he does not 

 shed until the second season : this process is slow in 

 a young bird, and usually requires about eight 

 weeks to change all the body-feathers ; during all of 

 which time they should be fed, at least twice a week, 

 on the hard-boiled egg and cracker, as described 

 above, and kept out of all draughts of air. If your 

 bird — the father of the young — is a good singer, 

 the young birds will learn readily, and, at the age of 

 six months, become fine songsters. 



The Longbreed, or French Ca.nary, has had 

 his day, and is now "run out." His high, square 

 shoulders give him an ungainly appearance ; and his 

 great length and delicate frame make him a very 

 weak bird, and not well adapted for the parlor ; 

 while in powers of song he is far inferior to the 

 short, or German Canary, so generally admired the 

 world over for his exquisite notes. 



