Moulting. 1 75 



colouring matter, I am unable to say ; but, from my own experi- 

 ments, I am thoroughly convinced that birds can be produced 

 as high in colour as those fed on the very choicest cayenne 

 without a particle of pepper being used; and if I had been as 

 reckless in the use of some of the articles I have experimented 

 with, as some of my confreres have been in the ad libitum use 

 of cayenne, it is more than probable that I should have produced 

 specimens quite as rich in colour as any yet exhibited ; but I am 

 gifted with a considerable amount of caution, and, I trust, of 

 common humanity likewise, and I must, therefore, feel my way 

 gradually. I am quite satisfied with the result of my experi- 

 ments so far, and have obtained some beautifully- coloured 

 specimens. For the benefit of those who desire to experiment 

 for themselves, I append a list of the articles which I have used 

 for obtaining colour ; they must only be used during the moult- 

 ing season: 



Alkanet root, beetroot, carnation clove, catechu, cardamom 

 (lesser), cochineal, cinchona bark, dragon's blood, infusion of 

 red rose leaves, gum kino, madder, meadow saffron, Parish's 

 syrup, logwood, port wine, sherry wine, and Maraschino wine. 

 I likewise in some cases use some of the mild alkalies to 

 deepen the colours. These hints will enable fanciers to experi- 

 ment on a somewhat extensive scale, and their ingenuity may 

 lead some of them to extend this field of operation even beyond 

 my own, and I confidently hope and believe that, in a short 

 time, a compound will be discovered that will entirely supersede 

 the use of cayenne, without in any way injuring or prejudicially 

 affecting the health and constitution of birds. Yegetable and 

 alkaline products I find the best. I am not sure whether 

 canaries cannot be obtained of colours never before seen. My 

 experiments have not yet been extended in that direction, my 

 sole object up to the present time being to obtain the colour 

 so much sought after, i.e., deep orange, bordering on red, and 

 orange lemon, without having recourse to cayenne, which is 

 beyond all doubt pernicious in its consequences. It affects the 

 larynx ; consequently, it acts as a deterrent to the vocal organs 

 of birds fed with it. It enlarges the liver, and has a very 

 prejudicial effect on birds intended for breeding. It is inju- 



