CANARY-BIRD. 59 



over the eye. His head is likewise larger, 

 wider and much longer than the female's, 

 and he has always a greater brilliancy 

 of plumage. His legs are thicker and 

 stronger, and his feet and claws are of 

 larger proportions. 



Some fanciers only distinguish them 

 when they commence to sing, or rather 

 warble; this all the young males, or a ma- 

 jority of them, generally do when they first 

 commence to peck hard seed, which hap- 

 pens at the age of a month; but when they 

 have passed their first moult they strike 

 their notes with considerable precision 

 and clearness. They should then, to pre- 

 vent mistakes, be separated, the males 

 placed in one cage and the females in 

 another, as the sexes become known. 

 The males are also much sprightlier in 

 action, quicker and more agile in their 

 motions, and always more taper, graceful 

 and slender in proportions than the female. 



To test the difference of appearance 

 between the male and female, place two 



