374 The Canary Book. 



little rough (the result of too quick drying), endeavour to induce 

 the bird to take a bath; this can often be done by sprinkling 

 a few drops of water over it from the tips of your fingers. 

 Five or six days before a show feed your birds with stimulating 

 food, such as egg and bread, with a little hemp seed, maw seed, 

 and groats ; and if you add a few drops of whisky or brandy 

 to the drinking water on the day the birds are sent off it will 

 prevent them taking cold, and will keep them in good spirits 

 during the journey. 



Crested birds require to be groomed every day for a 

 week before being sent off. Brush the crest carefully, and as 

 gently as possible, with a perfectly soft tooth-brush, and if there 

 are any troublesome or wayward feathers that do not lie so 

 smoothly as they might, put a dram of spirits of wine into a 

 small bottle, add to it twenty drops of almond oil and one 

 ounce of rose-water, and moisten the brush with this before 

 using it. Other things are used by some fanciers, such as a 

 weak solution of gum arabic, &c.; but when birds require this 

 they are not legitimate candidates for the show bench, as they 

 require " faking," which is a dishonest practice. 



In the case of Belgian canaries they must be trained to get 

 into " position " (see Chapter on the Belgian canary). If " Scotch 

 fancy," they must be taught to " travel " (vide Chapter on this 

 variety). Lizards and London Fancy canaries require much care 

 in handling, so that no feathers be knocked out. They should 

 be trained to run from one cage to another by using a piece 

 of stick; or placing the cages together with the doors open, 

 until they get accustomed to go from one cage to the other 

 of their own accord. In the case of Lizard canaries too much 

 cayenne must not be given or the colours will run, and so 

 disfigure them that they will not be eligible for the show 

 bench. 



Whenever birds are received from a show they should be 

 placed in a warm room for a day or two, and fed liberally on 

 the same diet that is recommended in preparing them for the 

 show bench, and the addition of a few drops of spirit to their 

 drinking-water, or half a teaspoonful of sherry wine, will be 



