52 The Canary Book. 



mischievous and quarrelsome in their disposition than the 

 hens. Of course, it would not do to put show-birds together 

 in this way, for fear they might injure their plumage, and it 

 will be found necessary to separate them about Christmas, or 

 before, if they are observed to disagree. 



SEPARATE ROOMS. If possible, keep the cocks and hens in 

 separate rooms; if not, endeavour to keep them in such 

 positions that the opposite sexes cannot see each other, for it 

 not unfrequently happens, as the spring approaches, that an 

 intimacy arises between them, and when a cock or hen has 

 selected a partner in this way and they generally select the 

 one which is not intended for them they prove sulky and 

 malevolent if compelled to mate with birds not of their own 

 choice and selection, and the result is that the hen not 

 unfrequently frets and will not feed her young, and the cock, 

 on the other hand, breaks the eggs or destroys the progeny. 

 These results do not always proceed from this cause, but 

 generally so, and I have noticed repeatedly that in cases 

 where the parent birds appear attached and affectionately 

 disposed to each other, they very rarely fail to rear their 

 young. 



PREPARING BREEDING-CAGES. Having selected the birds 

 intended for breeding, and having decided which to pair, in 

 the early part of January commence to prepare the breeding- 

 cages. First scrape them thoroughly, next scald them well 

 out with boiling water; after they are quite dry coat them 

 well inside and out with the following mixture: Spirit of 

 turpentine, \ pint ; camphor, oz. ; spirit of tar, 4oz. ; dissolve 

 the camphor in the turpentine, and then add the spirit of 

 tar, or carbolic acid diluted with water, one part of acid to 

 three of water may be used in preference, or a strong solu- 

 tion made of soft soap and washing-soda, used scalding hot, 

 is very destructive to the bird parasite. Some fanciers use 

 kerosene and some fir oil. I have used the first two prepara- 

 tions for some years, and have found them efficacious, 

 especially if the cages are first thoroughly washed with hot 



