372 The Canary Book. 



get beyond the Y.H.C. division in a good All England show. 

 You must not draw a single feather until you are satisfied 

 that the moulting process has begun, which is first noticeable 

 at the sides of the breast; when this is observed, draw out 

 the tail. It should be done by a single pull. Place the 

 feathers together tightly, and grasp them firmly between the 

 thumb and forefingers of the right hand, about the centre of 

 the tail, give a sudden jerk to your hand, and the thing is 

 accomplished. To pluck them out one by one is not only 

 more cruel, but it would cause the new growth to spread 

 and expand, which would be a very grave fault in any 

 show bird. 



A week after this operation, commence with the wings ; leave 

 the first two or three of the largest flight feathers, as the 

 others cover them to such an extent that they are scarcely 

 noticeable, and these are not only the worse to draw, but are 

 the most likely to cause damage to the wings, and most pain 

 to the birds. Begin by pulling two feathers out of each wing 

 at one operation, commencing with the largest feathers, say 

 the third or fourth, or fourth and fifth, according to your 

 decision to leave two or three unplucked ; let a day intervene 

 before drawing the next four feathers, and so on, until the 

 task is completed. Take the bird in your left hand, open 

 the wing, then hold it firmly by placing your forefinger on 

 one side of the shoulder and your thumb on the other side, 

 and grip firmly during the operation of drawing the feathers. 

 Some fanciers leave the wings until the bird is half over the 

 moult, as the feathers come out more readily then, or are 

 mpposed to do so, but the objection to this practice is that 

 it keeps the birds too long under the moulting process, which 

 is weakening to the constitution. If the wings are not held 

 firmly during the operation of drawing the feathers they will 

 probably get broken, in which case the bird, however good in 

 other respects, would be rendered useless as a show bird. It 

 will be found advantageous to hold the wings of the bird over a 

 cup containing hot water, as the steam causes the f CM thers to 

 come out easier, and with less pain to the bird. A little 



