44 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRD^. 



aviary, there is the disadvantage of indiscriminate pairing, rendering it impossible 

 to breed any distinct variety ; though this may not be any objection to those who, as 

 long as they breed something, and have the pleasure of seeing it grow, care little 

 what that something may be." 



In putting a pair alone in a separate cage, special colors, sizes, shapes, and, it 

 can be added almost with certainty, desirable songs, may be obtained. To our 

 general breeder, it matters little, usually, whether his young birds are clear or mot- 

 tled, have a dark cap or are ticked, since he has the pleasure of raising the birds, 

 be the color what it may, and the added pleasure of making many friends happy, 

 whom he may favor with gifts of pets. Birds mate in cages any time from January 

 on until June, and birds once mated will breed until September. A case is known 

 where a pair of Canaries hatched a brood each month during the year. This pair 

 reared that year a total of forty-two birds. You will join us in exclaiming this was 

 a clear case of cruelty to animals. 



A cage for breeding may be made of brass or wood ; but the former keeps freer 

 from insects, and on this account is greatly preferred. For a single pair of birds, 

 it should be not less than 8x10; and 9 x 12 or 10 x 1C is better. The wood-frame 

 and tinned-wire cages, with solid wood backs, are very convenient ; because they can 

 hang up against the wall, or set on a shelf against the wall. A position against the 

 wall, about eight feet from the floor, and with a southern aspect, seems to be cor- 

 rect. A breeding-cage ought not to swing. These wood-frame cages are 10x14 

 or larger, and are constructed with a movable platform, containing one or two 

 nest-places. Food and water bottles hang in wire rings at either end, on the 

 outside of the cage. The nests are wire, and lined with cotton- wool flannel. Deer's 

 hair is furnished the birds, so they may arrange the interior of the nest to suit 

 themselves. 



Gravel should be strewn in abundance on the draw ; and a bit of old plastering, 

 from an old building, should be partially crushed, and furnished in small quantities 

 daily. When this cannot be obtained, crushed oyster-shells may be substituted. 

 Birds thus provided for seldom lay soft-shell eggs. 



The daily food should be equal parts of German summer rape, Sicily canary, and 

 millet seeds mixed, and, for one pair of birds, one-third of both parts of a hard- 

 boiled egg, with which has been mixed a thimbleful of pulverized cracker, or 

 cracker-dust, and a very little maw-seed every other day, or oftener if it seems need- 

 ful ; give sweet apple or lettuce or celery, and, in a special dish, a thimble of maw 

 or poppy seed. Birds which are to be mated ought to be fed as above stated for 

 two or more weeks previous to mating. 



It is a good plan to let the pair hang within sight of each other, and become 

 acquainted, before being put in the cage together ; for love at first sight is still rare 

 enough to be noteworthy. After the birds have been fed and watered, and had the 

 bath, and the cage has been cleaned, unless they really need something more to eat, 

 or some ailment requires attention, leave them to their own resources for their 

 pleasure. Too close attention, and frequent taking clown of the cage to show the 

 pair to callers, has separated many mates, and ruined prospects that gave fair 

 promises of a large and beautiful family. 



I don't say, that trying to breed birds contrary to every suggestion given above 



