76 The Canary Book. 



to allow them to get their heads through. The parents will 

 feed them in this way. 



SELECTION OP BREEDING-PLACE. It very often happens 

 that a hen wishes to build in the same part of the breeding- 

 cage as she reared her first brood, and will commence to peck 

 at her half-fledged nestlings long before they are ready to 

 leave the nest, in order that she may force them to give up 

 possession of it to her for her further convenience. When 

 this is observed, remove the nest containing the young to 

 another part of the cage, and put the new nest in the place 

 thus vacated. 



SCREW-NAILS FOR TIN NESTS. Before I commence to use 

 a cage for breeding I always put three screw-nails into each 

 one in the centre and one on each side of the two perches 

 (outside), or at each end so that it is an easy matter to re- 

 move the nest from one nail to another. This little device is 

 generally successful. 



HENS REFUSING TO FEED THEIR PROGENY. It will be 

 found in some rare instances that under no circumstances 

 can a hen be induced to feed her young. This arises mostly 

 from bad health, a sulky disposition, or a very nervous 

 temperament. If from ill-health there is no remedy ; if from 

 the other causes named they can, to a certain extent, be 

 overcome and sometimes entirely cured. Speak kindly to such 

 hens whenever you have occasion to go near them, and 

 always address them by the names you have given them; 

 they will soon get accustomed to, and know them. Treat 

 them gently, and try to gain their confidence. If they are 

 very wild or intractable remove their food and water for four 

 or six hours, beginning in the morning. "When these are 

 replaced remain close by as close to the cage as you can 

 get: if they still appear timid and nervous, and refuse to 

 come near, remove the food, &c., for two hours longer, then 

 replace them again, acting as before, and continue this treat- 

 ment at short intervals until the birds are tamed. In time 

 they will l^arn to know their master, and will not exhibit 



