CANARY-BIRD. 63 



thick red or green flannel, for the thin 

 linen cloth, with the former of which he 

 must remain covered until he is fully per- 

 fect in the air that you are labouring to 

 teach him. The best time of feeding him 

 during this period, is at night; since then 

 he will not become alarmed, or have his 

 mind diverted from the tune which you 

 may wish to play to him, during the fol- 

 lowing day. 



Some fanciers endeavour to learn their 

 little favourites a number of airs; but it is 

 by far the best system to teach them only 

 one; for however talented the birds may 

 be, they will be apt to confound the dif- 

 ferent tunes, which would be a great dis- 

 appointment. The time of learning de- 

 pends entirely upon the calibre of the 

 bird; a sprightly, active one generally 

 becoming perfect in his lesson in two or 

 three months, while others are sometimes 

 as long as six months. In a task of this 

 kind, the fancier should never be dis- 

 couraged; as if he observes the rules laid 



