Moulting. 169 



pinion or shoulder blade, or elsewhere, remove it at once, for 

 every bird in the cage will have a peck at the injured part 

 whenever an opportunity is afforded of doing so. It is an 

 objectionable practice to place goldfinch and canary mules 

 along with canaries in the same cage, for they are naturally 

 mischievous and meddlesome, and are sure to pluck and harass 

 the canaries. 



MOULTING SHOW BIRDS. In the case of show birds of any 

 variety, it is always best to moult them, and keep them during 

 the show season in cages by themselves; and in the case of 

 London Fancy and Crested Norwich canaries it is absolutely 

 necessary to do so. Two birds, such as clear Norwich Fancy, 

 Scotch Fancy, Yorkshire Fancy (clears), or Cinnamons may be 

 moulted together in the same cage, although they are of that 

 class known as show birds, provided always that they agree, and 

 that the cage or compartment is sufficiently large to admit of 

 this being done the space should not be less than sixteen inches 

 in height and width, and seven or eight inches in depth from 

 back to front. When birds are not intended for exhibition it 

 is not necessary to be so particular with them. If a show bird 

 is being moulted or kept in an open cage, and is observed to 

 put its head frequently through the wires or " water hole " 

 i.e., the aperture made to allow it to get readily at its drinking 

 water something must be done to-break it of this bad habit, or 

 it will in all probability chafe the feathers at the back of its 

 head or on its breast, which would in all likelihood be the means 

 of preventing it gaining a prize, for it would have the appear- 

 ance of having been intentionally plucked. A piece of cardboard 

 fastened to either side of its cage will generally put a stop to 

 this practice ; if not, a light covering placed over the cage will 

 have the desired effect. 



Six or eight birds, or more, may be kept in one cage to moult, 

 provided it is sufficiently roomy and otherwise suitable ; but 

 it is not a commendable method to pursue, and when resorted 

 to, it will be well to keep the males and females separate that 

 is to say, so many cocks together in one cage, and so many hens 

 in another, as they will be found to agree much better in this 

 way; for when they are kept all together attachments not 



