50 CANARY BIRDS. 



The latter is sometimes caused by thunder 

 or other loud noise. In such case, remove 

 the nest, and give facilities for making a 

 fresh start ; also change the situation of the 

 cage. When it would be troublesome to re- 

 move the nest, it may remain ; but deserted 

 nests are bad nooks for insects, and a bird 

 is all the better for not being reminded of 

 its former failure. A real good bird for sit- 

 ting and bringing up her young is a great 

 acquisition, and should have every advan- 

 tage ; if she is an inferior bird, otherways, 

 first-rate eggs can be substituted for her own. 

 Some mischievous birds will break and 

 suck their eggs as soon as they are laid ; to 

 prevent this, supply them with plenty of 

 food every night, that the birds may feed 

 early in the morning : if this does not suc- 

 ceed, put a little mustard, or bitter aloes dis- 

 solved, inside a bad egg ; when they begin 

 to peck it, the bad taste may prevent a re- 

 petition, and in all probability induce them 

 to rear instead of destroying their progeny. 



