56 CANARY-BIRD. 



withdrawn from the breeding cages. This 

 last should only be done when it promises 

 to be very severe. 



The first and second nests are always 

 the best, solely for the reason of their 

 being better attended to and fed by the 

 parents than any subsequent broods, and 

 perforce must be the strongest and most 

 vigorous birds. These first broods have 

 also the moult occurring during more con- 

 genial months, at the latest in June or 

 July, while the later-produced birds do so 

 during the generally cold and raw seasons 

 of October and November. Young birds 

 may be moulted singly, which some prefer, 

 or in a fly, (large cage,) or an airy, warm 

 room. If in a cage, not more than ten or 

 at the outside twelve birds should be 

 placed together, which number may be 

 associated without the slightest injury, 

 which answers nearly or equally as well 

 as keeping them separately; for if there 

 be more, disease and death in a heavy 

 degree will certainly be the result. 



