CANARIES. 15 



should not be forgotten that the Campaiiiui was originally a teacher of young- 

 Canaries, and, though in a foreign laud, is not apt to forget his calling. 



The selection of the male from the female Canaries of the German breed is a 

 difficult matter, and cannot be made to a certainty except by an expert in the sub- 

 ject. Of course, if your bird sings a long, free song, you may be quite certain it is 

 a male ; for, though occasionally a female sings, the notes are rather short and dis- 

 connected. The principal points in judging are the size of the head and its color. 

 The head of the male bird is broader than that of the female, and flatter on the 

 crown: the head of the female is inclined to be round, particularly on the crown. 

 The colors of the German male are always deeper on the head, particularly around 

 the beak and eyes. In the green-colored variety the shade on these parts is nearly 

 olive green. In the female birds the colors are lighter, the pure-green female 

 having a grayish tinge throughout. In the deep-yellow birds the head of the male 

 is always of a deeper tinge than the remainder of the body ; while, in the female of 

 this color, gray or light-colored spots or streaks will be noticed, particularly on the 

 back. These are the points for picking young Canaries, before they have com- 

 menced to sing, depended on by the best German judges. It requires practice, and 

 the consequent handling of a great number of birds, to become an expert in the 

 selections. In the spring of the year the difference in the sex is more easily distin- 

 guished. By catching the bird in the hand, and gently blowing the feathers from 

 the belly and vent, the lines in the female will be observed to be preserved and 

 rounded, forming an oval : in the male bird, the lines are straighter, and the body 

 more like a cone. 



There is a knack in catching and holding a bird when an examination, for any 

 cause, is desired. In catching a bird, first remove the perches from the cage, and 

 do not make a promiscuous rush for the bird, but wait until he alights in a good 

 position, and then make a sharp, decisive pounce, and, when you have him, be sure 

 and hold him. To examine either back or breast, lay him in the palm of the hand, 

 with the thumb across the neck. It is impossible for him to escape or be injured 

 when held firmly but gently in this manner. To hold a bird securely without 

 ruffling his plumage, take the tips of the wings and the tail between the thumb and 

 fingers. 



The age of a Canary cannot be accurately determined : but, after the first year, 

 the scales on the legs become coarser and larger, increasing as the bird grows older ; 

 and the claws also lengthen : but, when the bird's claws and legs are carefully 

 attended to, it would puzzle any but the most expert judges to accurately determine 

 the age. 



A question frequently asked by the buyers of German Canaries is, " Will the bird 

 sing by gaslight?" This question cannot be accurately determined by the dealer 

 before a trial. As a rule, this desire is easily brought about by covering the cage, 

 except at intervals for feeding, throughout the day, and uncovering it in the evening 

 when the room is brilliantly lighted. In this way the bird becomes gradually accus- 

 tomed to the artificial light ; and, as darkness deprived him of his desire to sing 

 during the day, he pours out his pent-up melody when he sees the light. After a 

 few days' training of this sort, the difference in the natural and artificial lights is 

 not noticed ; and he will sing as freely by one as by the other. As a rule, the 



