76 OUR HOME PETS 



and labor will be wasted. Others again will be 

 dull of comprehension, or sullen in disposition, 

 and either not understand what is wanted or 

 refuse to attempt it. Some, also, are not phys- 

 ically strong enough to endure the discipline 

 of training. 



To me it seems cruel to keep a bird in un- 

 natural conditions of life, and t then expect him 

 to learn tricks and performances utterly for- 

 eign to bird nature, and if those who enjoy 

 such exhibitions knew the torture and brutali- 

 ties by means of which they are usually taught, 

 I am sure a performing canary would be as 

 painful a sight to them as it is to me. Of 

 course the training to sing if properly done 

 is quite different from other instruction, and 

 I shall give in the next chapter some direc- 

 tions for that, from the best authorities. 



To recapitulate : there are six things indis- 

 pensable to the comfort of a canary : 



First. A cage large enough to give him ex- 

 ercise. 



Second. Regular attention ; the best of ca- 

 nary-seed, with a little rape-seed, but no hemp 

 in the dish; clean, fresh water every morning, 

 clean perches and fresh gravel, with a little 



