CHAPTER II. 



BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT, 



CAPf ARIES, THEIR TEMPERS AND DISPOSITIONS. Birds, 



like human beings, are very differently constituted each 

 bird has its own temper and disposition, its likes and its dis- 

 likes, its own peculiar fancies and ideas, quite as much so in 

 its limited sphere as beings more highly favoured and gifted 

 than they. I need not, therefore, point out to the observant 

 and thoughtful mind the necessity there exists for each 

 fancier, as far as possible, to endeavour to familiarise himself 

 with the tempers and dispositions of his feathered captives, 

 as much really depends upon his knowledge in this respect 

 for his ultimate success in producing high- class young birds. 

 True, there are some birds that it is impossible to lead 

 into the way in which you fain would have them go; but 

 I hope to show, however, that even vicious birds, by 

 judicious management, can in some instances be reformed 

 from ways which are neither pleasing nor profitable to their 

 owners. 



FLIGHTING STOCK-BIRDS. Having selected the birds re- 

 quired for breeding, which is generally done between Novem- 

 ber and February, run the hens into a roomy flight-cage or 

 aviary, or what is better, a small room; the amount of exer- 

 cise which they get in this way is conducive to their health 

 and well-being afterwards. The cocks, too, would be all the 

 better for being put into large cages or aviaries in batches of 

 from two to twenty, but not more, as they are generally more 



E 2 



