Breeding and Management. 83 



it in the palm of your hand, partially close it, and commence 

 to breathe upon it as vigorously as possible, and as long as 

 you conveniently can do so without ceasing. Persevere for 

 some time, and you will succeed in ninety-five cases in every 

 hundred in restoring animation. As soon as you observe such 

 symptoms of life as convince you that there is a reasonable 

 chance of its recovery, return it to the nest ; the warmth of its 

 mother will soon restore it to its wonted appearance. Never 

 put a bird found in this way beside a hot fire, or in most 

 cases it will succumb. I presume the excessive heat affects 

 the brain, and likewise prevents the lungs which must have 

 nearly collapsed from exercising their proper functions freely. 



BREEDING BELGIANS. Of all the varieties of the Fringilla 

 canaria family, probably the most tender, and consequently 

 the most difficult to rear, are those known among fanciers as 

 pure Belgians. It is not at all an uncommon occurrence to 

 find newly-hatched young birds of this variety so weak and 

 delicate that they have not sufficient strength to hold up 

 their heads, so as to enable the parent birds to administer 

 to their pressing necessities. I have been greatly interested, 

 and sometimes astonished, whilst watching (through an aper- 

 ture in the door of my bird-breeding room) a thoroughly 

 reliable good-feeding hen endeavouring to give food to dimi- 

 nutive objects of this species. I have seen her exert her 

 utmost ingenuity and skill in her anxious endeavours to 

 assist them to obtain the succour which she instinctively knew 

 they required. I have watched her single the young birds out 

 and place them separately in turns under her in such a posi- 

 tion as to yield them support by her legs ; and, failing in this 

 manoeuvre, she has tried to feed them by resting on her side, 

 half buried in the nest, as their little heads and slender necks 

 were bobbing from side to side, but without avail. 



When there are young birds of this description, it will be 

 advisable to render them some assistance until they are suffi- 

 ciently strong to receive nutriment from the hen in a proper 

 manner. The method I have found to answer best is to give 

 them the yolk of a moderately hard-boiled egg boiled, say, 



