10 THE ROLLER CANARY 
Those who reside in London, Manchester, Bolton, 
Leeds and other large towns have a great advantage 
over those who live in country districts, as they are able 
to join one or other of the Roller Canary Clubs and by 
associating with the members learn much as to the value 
of birds and where the best are to be found. Those not 
so situated are dependent on the reports of contests which 
appear in “‘ Cage Birds,” and the advertisement pages 
of that journal. 
BUY FROM THE BEST STRAINS. 
In making a start the novice who is without previous 
experience of the Roller Canary should secure birds from 
a first-class strain, but he should not buy the best, that 
is, competition stock, as because of his lack of knowledge 
and experience he may quickly reap much disappoint- 
ment and waste a lot of money. 
For the first season or two it is wise to go slow so 
as to learn not only how to breed and rear the young 
properly, but also to gain all the knowledge possible as 
to the song. Knowledge it takes years to acquire. 
We have said the stock should be purchased in the 
autumn, especially the hens. It is not always possible 
to buy young cocks from a good strain in the early 
autumn, as many breeders will not sell young cocks until 
they have tried them out, and tested their song. It is, 
however, possible to purchase young hens, and yearling 
or two year old cocks, and the best results are likely to 
result from the breeding of youth and age. It is not 
wise to breed from first season birds only. Experience 
teaches that the best results are achieved when there is 
age on one side or the other. 
