16 CANARY BIRDS. 



great fuss, pretending to be a vast deal 

 shyer than he really is, hopping from perch 

 to perch, twisting his head about, and hav- 

 ing many airs and graces. Bird dealers re- 

 commend the birds that sing loudly ; and 

 this to many is not at all desirable; the 

 lower the tone the sweeter and prettier 

 many would think the song. 



In your choice of a bird do as William 

 Kidd recommends; "Sacrifice color to ac- 

 complishments; you will never repent it. 

 Nature seldom gives us rare beauty and 

 great accomplishments united." Do not, 

 however, decide too hastily, and examine 

 the bird on which you fix your choice 

 before purchasing. It may, perhaps, have 

 some defect in the plumage, which would 

 deteriorate its market Value, although in no 

 degree diminishing its worth as a songster 

 merely. Should the defect be merely a 

 damaged tail, it can be easily remedied : you 

 have only to draw the defective feathers, and 

 their place will soon be supplied with new 



