CANARIES. 37 



flour will be noticed ; this is a sure sign, as the deposit is the eggs of the insects : 

 wherever observed, the varnish-brush must be applied. A stroke with a brushful of 

 varnish will catch them in a trap from which escape is impossible. In case where 

 a large room is used for breeding, before putting the birds in, it should be most 

 thoroughly cleansed, and whitewashed or painted. With clean utensils, and clean, 

 healthy birds, at the start, you will have insured freedom from these pests. 



The different nests used are here worthy of mention. It has been said, that, give 

 a pair of Canaries only half a chance, and they will breed and hatch on the bare 

 floor. How true this is, I do not know ; but certain it is, that some astonishing speci- 

 mens are reared in the rudest affairs possible. In the German district, the little 

 wicker cage with the front detached, and a nest of moss, serve the purpose : this 

 is fastened to the front of the breed ing- cage, and the parent birds fly in or out at 

 will. The English nests are made of different materials and of different shapes, 

 the most primitive being a leather cup of the desired size ; and another is a sort 

 of basket made by sewing stout manila cord in the desired form. In Norwich the 

 nest is made of wood, square in shape, with a back-board, which is used for fasten- 

 ing against the wall. In still other parts of England, the perforated tin or wire 

 netting nests are used. The materials used for lining vary greatly, and may be 

 either felt, moss, jute, dried grasses, or deer's hair. The latter substance and the 

 perforated tin or wire nest are the best for all practical purposes. It is better, per- 

 haps, all things considered, to allow the Canary to do its own building : to be sure, 

 it is most certainly a fact, that years of domestication have impaired the architec- 

 tural skill of the Canary ; this is proved by the fact that no two build nests exactly 

 alike : however, it is best to leave them to their own resources. There is apparently 

 no difference in the health of birds reared in the most cleverly constructed nests, 

 and of those which are reared in nests which at best may be called mere apologies. 



The breeding-cages should be of sufficient siz4* to allow the young birds, when 

 able to fly, plenty of space ; for the strength thus gained is of great benefit to the 

 health when the birds grow older. The ailments to which young birds are subject 

 are few if bred from healthy parents. The last brood of the season is apt to be 

 sickly, when, as a natural cause of impaired strength in the parents, the weakness 

 is transmitted to the young. The birds of the late broods should be separated from 

 the earlier, healthier birds, and their constitutions built up by means of plenty of 

 fresh air and sunshine, and rich feeding on egg-mixture and green stuffs. 



Indigestion. During the earlier part of their existence, young Canaries spend 

 a great deal of time in sleep. This is perfectly natural ; but when they are ob- 

 served to be sleeping more than the usual time, and when the bird has the appear- 

 ance of a puff-ball, it should be taken in hand at once. The disease in early youth 

 is generally indigestion, arising from unwholesome or stale food, such as the egg- 

 mixture or green food permitted to grow sour in the cage ; or it may arise from 

 overeating of delicacies which have been introduced into the cage. Whatever the 

 cause, the bird should be caught, and a couple of drops of castor-oil dropped down 

 his throat ; or the drinking-water may be removed from the cage for two hours, so 

 that the bird will have a desire for it when returned : then float a few drops of cod- 

 liver oil on the water. Either of the above will afford almost immediate relief. The 

 bird should then be removed to a dry, warm place, and fed on crushed hemp for a 

 few days. 



