CANARIES. 45 



will result in failure ; but if the suggestions are followed, and you use a pair of 

 good birds, great success is altogether probable, utter failure impossible. 



Having thus given a general outline on the two methods of breeding, and infor- 

 mation in regard to suitable cages and proper food for pairs of birds, we shall try 

 to state in detail how to mate two Canaries, and take care of them. There must 

 lie a starting-place in breeding birds, as in every thing else ; so suppose we mark the 

 place, in order to recognize it in a second visit. " Like produces like." It is a 

 very disagreeable "old saw;" but as it is about the worst one known, and will 

 likely, before we are through, worry us more than any other could, why, let it 

 stand to menace and harass us. 



Recall the maxim above, and commence to breed with the very best stock you 

 can obtain. kt Secure good birds," writes Blakston, " but never mind the age if they 

 are only healthy. When a year old, the cock birds look out eagerly for mates ; and 

 the hens are equally anxious for the duties of maternity, and, if left to themselves, 

 would lay nests of unfertile eggs, and sit on them till hope died out in declining 

 health and strength. We have never found that age added one iota to their ex- 

 perience, or that youth was connected with any lack of knowledge." 



If one wishes clear deep-yellow birds, let deep-yellow, unmarked birds be 

 mated : if cinnamon colors are desired, mate a deep gold-colored male with a clear 

 green female, or mate two cinnamon birds. Mottled or splashed birds may beget 

 clear yellow colors from some clear yellow ancestry back two or three generations, 

 but generally they produce a mottled progeny. Colors and sizes are generally re- 

 produced, but voices or songs are never reproduced. The young birds that sing 

 like their father do so because they hear only his song. A young Canary will 

 learn the notes of a Lark or Nightingale or Virginia Redbird as quickly as the 

 song of a Canary, and when thus taught is, of course, much more valuable. Both 

 of a pair may be crested birds ; but in that case some of the nestlings may have 

 very poor crests, and usually the crests are imperfect in shape. To obtain the 

 largest and best crests, mate a Crest with a Plainhead. 



The largest birds with the best crests are the Lancashire Coppies, bred in Roch- 

 dale, Ashton-under-Lyne, and other towns in England : the Coppies bred in Man- 

 chester, England, are equally famous. These two varieties are alike in size, shape, 

 and color and crest, and are the longest and largest breed of all Canaries. The 

 Norwich, England, Canaries, both Plainheads and Crested birds, are large, strong 

 birds, and, in respect to high colors, stand at the head of the list. 



Those who like to breed short, compact birds will select the German variety : all 

 of the German Canaries are the same size, but the St. Andreasberg breed are 

 trained singers. Ordinarily there is no difficulty in mating birds : when you decide 

 on the shapes and colors desired, put the pair together. The probability is, that, when 

 the birds are first put together, they will quarrel ; but it is not always the case. It 

 arises from the fact, that the male bird is always the first to make advances towards 

 a more intimate acquaintance ; and the female, as is fit and proper, with becoming- 

 modesty repels them. If he be a bird who has spent the winter wisely in studying 

 bird-nature, he will commence by admiring the nest, and giving his opinion on 

 things in general, and will coax the female with presents of dainty morsels, and a 

 display of polite gallantry ; but if he begins at once to be too familiar, and the first 



