52 CANARY-BIRD. 



tending their craws, which would make 

 them unhandsome birds hereafter, but 

 likewise give them a disease called the 

 "surfeit," which arises in consequence of 

 a weakness of their digestive powers at 

 that early period of their lives. This may 

 too often prove fatal. When they get to 

 be three weeks or a month old, you may 

 discontinue feeding in the above manner, 

 for they will then be able to attend to 

 themselves; but this must be done for at 

 least the time stated. The young birds 

 should at first be put in a cage without 

 perches; for if not, they will be apt to 

 strain, or otherwise injure themselves, 

 from an ambitious peculiarity belonging 

 to all the feathered tribe the desire to 

 reach an elevated position. At this time 

 I would recommend the fancier to place a 

 little rape and canary-seed in the cage; 

 as the birds cannot too soon learn to feed 

 on those articles, nor in fact commence to 

 feed at all; but the seeds should be scalded 



