274 OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



they splash the more trouble they make, and to take delight in 

 wetting everything about them. 



When the bird has had its bath, the cage should be wiped 

 dry, the bottom replaced, the drinking cup rinsed and refilled, 

 and the seed cup rilled. If a bird is very tame and can be easily 

 caught, it may be let out of the cage for its bath and for a little 

 exercise. Many canaries will return voluntarily to their cages 

 after bathing and flying around the room a few times. Canary 

 fanciers frequently allow their birds the freedom of the room 

 for hours at a time. Whenever this is done, special care must 

 be taken that no unexpected opening of a door allows the bird 

 to escape from the room. Neglect of this point often leads to 

 the loss of a valued bird. 



Breeding. The breeding season for canaries is from February 

 until May or June. The cage for a breeding pair should be a 

 little larger than that used for a single bird, and should be firmly 

 attached to the wall instead of hanging where it can swing. 

 The nest is usually a small wire basket. For nest material cotton 

 batting and cow's hair or deer's hair are used. Deer's hair may 

 be obtained at bird stores. These materials are placed in the 

 cage and the birds use what they want. The hen lays from four 

 to six eggs. The period of incubation is two weeks. During the 

 breeding season the birds should be fed, in addition to the usual 

 supply of seed, a little grated hard-boiled egg with cracker or 

 bread crumbs. They also need a supply of fine oyster shells. By 

 the time the young are three weeks old they are able to leave 

 the nest and to feed themselves. They should then be removed 

 to a separate cage. 



