5<5 



The Canary Book. 



the year, carry off the early nestlings, despite the attentions of 

 a good mother; or, supposing that they are reared, they are 

 often weak and puny, and not unfrequently die when they 

 commence to moult. It is better, therefore, not to be in too 

 great a hurry to begin to breed. Of course, much depends 

 on the weather and the part of the country in which the fancier 

 resides. In Devonshire, Cornwall, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, 

 and all counties situated in the south, south-west, and west 

 of England, operations in bird-breeding may be begun from 

 three weeks to a month earlier than in the extreme north 

 of England and most parts of Scotland, and in the Mid-^ 

 land counties a time midway between February 14th and 

 March 23rd should be chosen. 



7 INS 



FIG. 37. BREAD- AND EGG-SIEVE. 



FIG. 38. SPATULA. 



FOOD FOR NEWLY-PAIRED BIRDS. When the birds are 

 put together finally, feed them liberally; give them hard- 

 boiled egg, chopped fine or grated through a piece of per- 

 forated zinc. For this purpose get a small fig- or cigar-box, 

 knock the bottom out, and nail the zinc on in its place, or 

 make a small box, 6in. square by 2in. deep (Fig. 37), and 

 obtain a wooden or an iron spatula (Fig. 38). Take as much 

 egg as is required, free it from the shell, and press through the 

 zinc with the spatula or a knife having a stout blade, or a chisel 

 will do as well ; next rub through the same machine, or in 



