54 The Canary Book. 



powder, or old lime hammered into very small pieces should 

 be mixed with or strewn among the sand at the bottom of 

 the cage, as these not only promote health and digestion, but 

 they form the shell of the eggs to be laid by the birds. 

 These are essential during breeding-operations, and are bene- 

 ficial to the young birds. Clean out the birds as often as 

 possible without unnecessarily interfering with the hens 

 whilst sitting, using a small iron rake (see Fig. 36) for this 

 purpose. A little charcoal added and mixed with the sand 

 will be found useful, not only in keeping the birds in health, 

 but it prevents an accumulation of parasites. 



PAIRING. Having prepared your breeding-cages properly, 

 the hens can be put into them at once. If two hens are to 

 be run with one cock, keep the hens together in the same 

 compartment for some time first, until they are observed to 

 be on friendly terms, after which they very rarely exhibit any 

 symptoms of jealousy towards each other. Before the cocks 

 and hens are put together, which is usually done in February 

 or March, according to the climate, state of the weather, and 

 locality, it is advisable to place them in such a position in 

 separate cages as they may be able to see each other ; in fact, to 

 be as close to each other as possible, in order that an intimacy 

 and familiarity may spring up between them, for if a male be 

 placed beside a female without this precaution it frequently 

 happens that a severe quarrel and a serious conflict is the 

 result, especially if the male be of an amorous and ardent 

 disposition. The hen is almost certain to resent his advances, 

 and hence an ill-feeling is engendered which is very detri- 

 mental to their future well-doing, and frequently leads to 

 results not at all to be desired. The best plan is to put 

 them into a cage with two compartments, commonly known 

 as a "double-coupled cage," with a wired division or slide 

 between them, or into two single wired cages placed close to 

 each other. As soon as a mutual understanding exists between 

 them, they may be placed in the breeding-cage. A great deal 

 more depends upon the careful coupling of the birds for future 

 results than is generally supposed or acknowledged. 



