190 ANIMAL ARTISANS 



ings are also used, and are exhibited in front of the 

 birds which have thrived on them like Mellin's food 

 and Nestle's milk at a show of prize babies. Cochineal 

 water is perhaps the deepest in tint of any food given, 

 but this does not impart the characteristic red which 

 it produces as a dye. 



As the shades of orange and yellow suffer from 

 dust and dirt, canaries are most carefully bathed before 

 exhibition. A shaving-brush, warm water, and soft 

 soap are the usual means employed ; and a practical 

 hand will wash canaries by the dozen, at the rate of 

 seven or eight minutes each, transferring each bird 

 after its final douche and rubbing with a soft cloth 

 into the drying-cage, which stands before the fire. 

 Precision and " boldness of attack " are the qualities 

 for a successful washer ; canaries, like babies, being 

 apt to catch cold and become miserable if the process 

 be unduly prolonged. 



Singing canaries are treated on different principles. 

 Their qualities are more suited for private appreciation 

 than for exhibition, or contests like those held by 

 the London bird-fanciers between cock chaffinches, in 

 which the bird wins which repeats its song the greatest 

 number of times. Yet it is by its song, rather than 

 its plumage, that the domesticated canary can rightly 

 claim to be almost the best, as it is the most popular, 

 of cage-birds. The Norwich and Yorkshire breeds 

 are said to be the best songsters among the English 

 varieties, if well taught. But neither of these are equal 

 to the German birds, which, perhaps from living 

 among a naturally musical race, have a correctness of 



