224 The Canary Book. 



tenderly in low, soft accents for birds are quite capable of 

 appreciating blandishments and endearments and by this 

 means you will more readily acquire the confidence of your pupil. 

 As soon as it appears to be on friendly terms with you, lift the 

 cage and move it about in a quiet way, and as soon as it becomes 

 familiarised with " handling," move the cage about more freely, 

 raise it well up and scrape your finger nails along the bottom 

 not too roughly; the noise will attract its attention, and it will 

 instantly appear on the qui vive ; if it does not dash about or 

 appear too fidgety, you may move the false bottom or draw- 

 board gently to and fro, first slowly, and afterwards more rapidly. 

 As soon as it becomes thoroughly accustomed to this mode of 

 treatment, you may introduce the stick you use for the purpose 

 of a " running wand ;" put it through the wires in the rear of 

 the bird, and push it with the utmost care and gentleness 

 beneath the perch on which the bird is placed; let it project 

 two or three inches in front of it, and then proceed to move 

 it about slowly and quietly; if it is not startled it will commence 

 to " pull " itself together, raising its shoulders and lowering 

 its head, and will stretch its legs to the utmost of its ability. 

 This is what you desire it to do, but if you continue it too long 

 it will probably wheel round suddenly, in which case the wand 

 must be withdrawn at once, and after the lapse of a few seconds 

 introduce it again the same as before ; continue this practice for 

 ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, not less than once a week, 

 and not more than three or four times at the most, or you will 

 make it too familiar, which is nearly as much to be deplored as 

 if it were too shy. It is a good plan to place the cage against 

 a wall during this operation, more particularly if the bird is 

 timid or unsteady in his movements. Sometimes it is necessary 

 to pass the wand in a rapid and dexterous manner underneath 

 the cage, allowing it to project suddenly in front or at the side 

 of the bird, but this is only required when the bird becomes too 

 bold. Experience will suggest to the operator other devices for 

 the performance of this necessary exercise. 



CLASSES. Belgian Canaries are capable of being divided into 

 eight distinct classes, i.e. : clear yellow, clear buff, ticked yellow, 

 ticked buff, evenly-marked yellow, evenly-marked buff, unevenly- 



