32 THE CANARY BIRD. 



give him two or three drops on sugar. This 

 is a medicine equally quick and efficacious ; 

 and unless it be resorted to, nine cases out of 

 ten will end fatally. 



One of the most pleasing variety of mules 

 is produced by the cock Averdivine, with a 

 hen canary. The young are plain in plum- 

 age, but vefy harmonious songsters, and easily 

 become so familiar as to perch on your finger 

 and sing at command. 



Much experien^, attention to nature, and 

 observation, are required in cross, or mule 

 breeding, to domesticate and break in the 

 birds to the Canary food, and to know their 

 age. For example, linnets should not be 

 turned up to breed till two years old, when 

 crossed with the Canary. A goldfinch hen 

 ought to be two years old, as she seldom lays 

 eggs the first year in a cage. And, observe 

 nature in putting your birds up to breed : 

 that is, to fall in about their own natural 

 time, be 'the bird whatever it may. You 

 must not expect mule, or cross breeding, to 

 be ever prohfic; the Aberdivine and Serin 

 finches, are the most prolific, the goldfinch 

 next, and the linnet seldom more than one 

 nest in a season. 



In the finch tribe it may be noticed there 

 are two distinct and separate species ; the 

 one hard-billed, living upon seed, the other 

 soft -billed, living on flesh, soft food, and 

 insects. Any of the hard-billed birds may be 

 paired with the Canary, the others will not 

 imite. Mule breeding will do best in the 



