no The Canary Book. 



and shape of a white pea, in precisely the same place (in 

 the middle of the red band). In other respects they differ 

 very slightly from the ordinary or common stock in general 

 appearance, but always bring a better price. " Cheverells " 

 (warranted breeders) are usually sold at from ten to twenty 

 shillings each, and " Pea-throats " from seven shillings upwards, 

 according to age, quality, condition, and other properties. 

 Always select a light-coloured goldfinch with a clear white 

 hind-face and collar, and with a bright, deep full blaze of 

 rich scarlet, in preference to a dark, dull, dingy-coloured 

 specimen to breed with. 



Instances sometimes occur in which a young goldfinch fails 

 to breed with a canary hen the first season, but does so 

 the second; such birds, however, are usually of a timid or 

 phlegmatic temperament, and are more suitable for singing 

 than for breeding purposes. There are others, again, too 

 ardent so much so, that if they are permitted to remain 

 with their spouses they will destroy the eggs as soon as they 

 are laid. As a great many goldfinches are guilty of this 

 malpractice, I think it is best to remove them from beside 

 the hens a day or two before they commence to lay; they 

 can, however, be returned to their domicile during the day 

 and taken away again at night, if considered necessary. Or, 

 if it be thought preferable to leave a goldfinch with a hen 

 during the time she is occupied in laying her complement 

 of eggs, then a duplicate nest should be given her that is, 

 if I may so describe it, a nest within a nest. For instance, 

 suppose you are in the habit of using the artificial nests 

 recommended by me in the first chapter, you must get a piece 

 of felt, and make and fit it in precisely the same manner as 

 the piece used for the original nest, only it must not be quite 

 so large, so that when it is placed inside the other it will 

 leave a space. Cut a small hole in the duplicate or outer 

 artificial nest, sufficiently large for the egg to drop through, 

 and place it inside the nest proper, or cut the end of a cocoa- 

 nut, make a large hole through it, line it with felt and use it- 

 As soon as the hen has laid an egg it will fall through 



