294 THE CAXABY. 



prize is adjudged to the bird whose colour is most perfect. In 

 these birds a superiority of form (the result of high breeding) will 

 be discovered, but such a quality is not recognized by the judges. 



" After the second moult, the Canary is no longer a show bird, 

 the dark feathers in the wings and tail then disappearing entirely. 



" The nest feathers are, as has already been stated, similar to 

 the appearance of the Lizard. The first moulting, which occurs 

 in the autumn of the first year, removes the short feathers only ; 

 these are replaced by the pure plumage, which appears first in 

 two clear yellow bands over the pectoral process, and then spreads 

 over the whole of the upper part of the bird, leaving the quill 

 feathers in their original black state. The Canary is then in its 

 most perfect state as a fancy bird, and it loses this distinction 

 immediately after. 



" Among other points of nice attention which are required du- 

 ring the moult, it is necessary to observe if any of the quill 

 feathers should happen to be prematurely shed (beaten out), in 

 which case they would be reproduced colourless, or * foul ;' to 

 provide against this, it is the practice of breeders to extract the 

 growing feather when in the blood, or while it performs a part in 

 the circulation. This being done, the uniformity of black feathers 

 continues uninterrupted. 



" In breeding the fancy birds, great proficiency is shown in 

 judicious pairing. A Mealy-bird and a Jonquil being put toge- 

 ther, the produce will not prove a mixture of the qualities of the 

 parent birds, but the character of the one or the other will appear 

 distinct, and the produce of the nest will probably show specimens 

 of each kind, Mealy and Jonquil. It is a curious fact, that the 

 Mealy -bird may be distinguished at six days old, by the invariable 

 appearance of five feathers on the crest of the ilium, which are 

 not developed by the Jonquil in any case. 



" The pious and excellent DR. WATTS has borne testimony to 

 the harmony of the early condition of little birds. ' Birds in 

 their little nests agree,' but it is well for the sake of veracity in 

 this instance, that the worthy doctor stopped there; for no sooner 

 have the young of the Canary scrambled from the procreant cradle, 

 than they will fight like young harpies. 



" The above union, i. e. that of the Mealy and the Jonquil, is 

 considered favourable to the production of pure birds ; but if two 

 strong birds are associated, the result will be an overcharge of 

 colour in the offspring. 



" Another unfavourable consequence appertaining to the union 

 of two Jonquils appears, when the practice is continued, in a de- 

 terioration of the web of the feathers, which become frizzled and 

 insufficient to cover the body, and the proper complement of tail 



