100 CANARY-BIRD. 



generally very beautiful. The following 

 methods must be observed, to secure the 

 attainment of your object. 



When you undertake to pair your birds, 

 take them when young, and bring them 

 up either under a Canary hen or by 

 hand, feeding them during this prepara- 

 tory stage on a mixture of one-third rape 

 and two-thirds Canary-seed. This food 

 is the best adapted for them during the 

 breeding season, and under its influence 

 they most readily pair. Hemp-seed should 

 never be given to them, as they become 

 greedily fond of it, owing to its extreme 

 oiliness, and it is the most injurious nutri- 

 ment they could receive. 



When the male-bird is a Gold-finch, 

 before you pair him, carefully cut off the 

 extreme tip of his beak with a pair of 

 sharp scissors. Should it bleed, which it 

 may not however, the application of a 

 little moistened brown-sugar will imme- 

 diately cure the wound. The reason of 

 this proceeding is simple, as it hinders 



