Breeding and Management. 71 



to enunciate the chief obstacles which are usually met 

 with, more or less, by all breeders, and will endeavour to 

 point out, so far as my own experience enables me, the best 

 means of obviating and overcoming them. 



In the first place, it is necessary to take care that the 

 birds are in robust and vigorous health, for, if they are not, 

 disappointments often occur after they are paired. This is 

 readily discovered by their movements. If a bird bounds 

 briskly from perch to perch in a rapid and lively manner, 

 and moves its wings quickly and almost incessantly with a 

 sort of semi-flapping motion, it is a sure indication of good 

 health and a sound and vigorous constitution : but if, on the 

 other hand, it sits dull and mopish, or moves about in a 

 listless and phlegmatic manner, it is a certain sign of ailment 

 or delicacy of health, and I would strongly advise all breeders 

 to discard such a bird, however good in quality, for stock 

 purposes; as, although birds may be reared from parents 

 slightly affected with asthma, consumption, and similar dis- 

 eases, the progeny are never really healthy nor satisfactory, 

 and great difficulties are experienced in endeavouring to rear 

 them; besides, they very frequently die during the process 

 of moulting, even if they are reared thus far. 



UNHEALTHY BIRDS. Never put a sound bird with an un- 

 healthy one, or it will be found, in most cases, that in a 

 short time the sound bird becomes affected in like manner. 



BIRDS OUT OF CONDITION. I must likewise impress upon 

 breeders the necessity of thoroughly satisfying themselves 

 that both birds are in fine form before they are placed 

 together in the breeding-cage, for if the male be fresher 

 than the female he will most assuredly proceed to ill-treat 

 her, and vice versa. This is an essential point that is too 

 frequently neglected by beginners. 



BREEDING-BIRDS FOR EXHIBITION. I would sincerely 

 recommend all fanciers to breed from the best strains that 

 can be procured if they desire to breed birds for the purpose 

 of exhibition, as it is merely a matter of outlay in the first 



