Mule Breeding. 1 1 3 



them in large cages with the canary hens in batches of, say, 

 from four to six hens and from two to three goldfinches in each 

 cage, two hens, in my opinion, being amply sufficient for one 

 " goldie " for breeding purposes ; by adopting this plan the 

 hens, which are sometimes afraid of the finches, get accus- 

 tomed to them, whilst, on the other hand, the " spinks " over- 

 come the natural aversion which they entertain to forming an 

 alliance with an opposite or distinctly different species of 

 bird. As the spring of the year approaches the male birds 

 usually commence to quarrel, and it will be found necessary 

 to separate them; but, should an attachment appear to exist 

 between any particular finch and canary, be sure to mate 

 these birds. When you remove them from the flight-cages, 

 put one goldfinch and two hen canaries together in a breed- 

 ing-cage, until one of the hens exhibit signs of wanting to go 

 to nest. Then supply that requisite, and when she is busily 

 employed about it introduce a male canary to the hens. In 

 the first place, he must be put into a separate cage, and 

 hung in such a position that he can be seen by both the 

 female canaries and the finch. If the hens have not formed 

 an attachment with the goldfinch, they will be, in all proba- 

 bility, very much delighted with this introduction ; whilst 

 Master " Goldie," especially if he be attached to the hens 

 and of an amatory temperament, will exhibit unmistakable 

 symptoms of jealousy, and by this means his affections will 

 be considerably strengthened, unless he be of a sulky dispo- 

 sition, when it is quite possible he might fret and repine, 

 and ultimately die of a broken heart; but I have only known 

 one case of this extreme character. After the lapse of two 

 or three days, remove the other hen and the goldfinch into 

 another cage, and put the canary cock with the first-men- 

 tioned hen. As soon as the latter hen has laid her comple- 

 ment of eggs, remove the cock canary to the cage containing 

 the other hen; but, before doing so, take out the finch and 

 place him in a small cage by himself, and hang it in such a 

 position as he will be able to see both hens and the canary 

 cock. As soon as the second hen has laid her third egg the 



