CANARIES. 33 



while the beak and the bird's actions are the same as those observed in the males 

 from which they spring. The Canary quality is seen in the shape of the body. 

 Characteristics of both of the parents are distinctly observed in the Mule. Mules 

 which have songs different from the Canary are eagerly sought for. Such songs 

 may be taught the Mules by placing them, as soon as they are able to utter notes, 

 within hearing of the bird whose song you desire them to imitate. 



Other varieties of Mules are obtained, although not so satisfactory as the above, 

 by pairing the female Canary with many of the seed-eating varieties of songsters. 

 An uncommon specimen of Mule-breeding was obtained by mating a male Bullfinch 

 with a female Goldfinch, the result being a beautiful combination of shape and 

 colors. It is said that this class of Mules is as easily bred as the others, the main 

 point being to thoroughly domesticate the birds before pairing them. 



The treatment of Mules is the same as that given Canaries : they should have 

 the mixed seeds and the usual varieties of food given the Canaries. They may also 

 be colored by means of the cayenne mixture, and the light-colored varieties change 

 to elegant colorings when so fed. 



TRICK CANARIES. 



The tricks which a Canary may be taught are almost numberless ; and, owing 

 to their natural tameness, they may be recommended for the above purpose over 

 any other class of birds known. The methods of training Canaries vary, and I 

 know of no fixed rule to lay down. Some trainers commence with kindness, others 

 with starvation and cruelty, two widely different starting-points, you will say. 

 The bird, as in all cases of training animals, must know but one master ; and that 

 master, in order to thoroughly train his bird, must completely gain the bird's con- 

 fidence. When the confidence is once gained, teaching and training are easy. 

 Patience is every thing in training a Canary to the highest point of perfection. 

 Notice how quickly a Canary will choose from among the members of a family his 

 special favorite. Be assured the choice was not made by any lottery arrangement, 

 but was made because the bird was treated kindly. Show your bird any special 

 favor daily, and you will be surprised to see how quickly he will repay you by 

 endeavoring to please you with his song. Gain a bird's confidence and affection 

 first, and he will learn as many tricks as you are willing to teach him. 



The older authors assert that hunger is the chief means of gaining a bird's confi- 

 dence, and usually the starting-point. I think it a cruel method when the opposite 

 means are just as easy. To recount the tricks which a well-trained bird is capable of 

 performing would be useless here, as, no doubt, the majority of the readers of this 

 article have seen performing-birds of this class. The hardest branch to teach is 

 probably arithmetic. Trainers in Frahce devote their energies to mathematics : 

 and a troop of birds has been seen there, each member of which had to do some 

 special example in figures ; and the intricacies of the various tables of multiplica- 

 tion, subtraction, and division were cleared away as easily as could be done by the 

 prize-members of a school. When Canaries are trained to perform tricks, it is, of 

 course, essential to feed a dainty now and then as a reward. If not too lavish in the 

 use of these, the bird may be kept in song as well as if he were not trained. The pre- 



