13 



the names of these delicacies, rear on the simplest 

 food a considerable number of the healthiest, cleverest^ 

 and strongest canaries. We must, however, be guided 

 in a great measure by the constitution of the birds. 

 They should be daily supplied with fresh water, aa 

 well for drinking and bathing, in which they delight. 

 In the moulting season a nail or bit of iron should be 

 put into the water, in order to strengthen the sto- 

 mach. Saffron and liquorice are in this case more 

 hurtful than useful. Grains of the sand with which 

 the bottom of the cage is strewed afford the birds a. 

 help to digestion. "What has been said above refers 

 solely to the food of full-grown birds ; the young, 

 which cannot feed themselves, require a different 

 diet." 



Except in the breeding season the male canaries 

 are kept alone in separate cages, which, whatever the 

 shape, ought not to be less than eight inches in dia- 

 meter and a foot in height, with two sticks placed 

 across for the bird to perch on. The females may be 

 allowed to range the room with one wing clipped, or, 

 what is better, kept in large cages, where, from having 

 plenty of exercise, their health and strength are better 

 preserved. In the small cages, glass vases should be 

 placed on the outside, at the extremities of the lower 

 stick, to hold the food and water. These may be sur- 

 mounted with a cap of tin, or something of the kind. 



