CANARIES. 51 



introduction of Mr. Finch to Mrs. Canary, and, on the other hand, do not chape- 

 ron the birds too closely. A pair of birds in good physical condition, an abundance 

 of high feed like eggs, etc. to warm the blood, a temperature varying from 

 G6 to 70, and a quiet corner secure from the obtrusion of strangers, these are 

 essentials. The pair may not evince a disposition to mate for a week or ten days ; 

 they will likely fight some ; but let them remain together, and, doubtless, in two to 

 three weeks from the time of running them together, you will have the first evi- 

 dence of their mating in the egg in the nest. Any of these young Mules should 

 have the same food and care as young Canaries, boiled egg and cracker-dust 

 mixed, at first, and afterwards rape-seed, soaked so the hulls are soft, and millet- 

 seed treated the same way. 



The Goldfinch-Canary Hybrid is bred usually for high color ; while the Linnet- 

 Canary, Bullfinch-Canary, and Bobolink-Canary Hybrids are expected to be extra 

 songsters. 



The Bullfinch-Canary Hybrid is somewhat thicker in form than a pure Canary, 

 has handsome colors, and a song that partakes largely of the mellow notes of the 

 Bullfinch. He is elegant in form, sprightly and graceful in movement, and pos- 

 sesses many of the characteristics of the Bullfinch. 



The Bobolink-Canary Hybrid is the largest of all, and is less frequently seen 

 than the others. Weeks of patient work are well expended if one can rear only 

 one singer of this variety. This Hybrid is a large, handsome, finely formed bird ; 

 and his song is one of the most delightful in the whole range of bird melody. 



The Linnet-Canary Hybrid is a grayish-green bird of ordinary Canary size, and 

 has a sprightly, ver} 7 sweet song : it is the Canary's song with all the harsh, choppy 

 notes culled out, and each trill and turn seemingly cultivated to the highest degree. 



The Siskin-Canary Hybrid is an indifferent singer, but is vivacious, and, like the 

 Siskin, quite a gymnast in the cage. 



The Nonpareil-Canary Hybrid, next to the white Goldfinch Mules, is the most 

 showy of all the crosses. The beautiful violet head and the mealy-yellow body form 

 rich contrasts with the glossy golden green and purple shades of the back and 

 wings. Not all the Mules are elegantly marked, but the fine ones are so mag- 

 nificent that they well repay all the care and patience necessary to obtain them. 



The Indigo-Canary Hybrid, when he has the Indigo's colors, is a beautiful bird : 

 his song is a pleasing mixture of whistling and singing. A few insects, in addition 

 to the seed, are very acceptable to him. 



In addition to the regular seeds, these Mules should have daily a few spiders, 

 ants' eggs, or meal-worms : they are bred especially for the showy colors, and not 

 much singing is expected from them ; but some of them are even better singers 

 than the ordinary Canaries. 



In breeding Mules, it is the custom to run one male through the cages of three 

 or four females ; but never allow the male to remain with the female up to the time 

 of laying, for fear of the eggs being broken. As stated above, the Mules are 

 handsome when bred from mealy or very light colored females. The lighter the 

 female, the whiter the Mules are apt to be. 



All of the birds used for Hybrid-breeding can be found in the shops during the 

 winter and spring months. The regular Canary-breeding cages are used. 



