58 CANARY BIRDS. 



carry food to her; if neither be the case, 

 you must put the hen off her nest, and if 

 she sees plenty of food, she will eat ; and 

 the hen, thus induced to take food, will, 

 when she sees the young ones gaping for 

 food, feed them, which will induce the cock 

 to assist her in this duty ; for when once the 

 cock sees the hen feed the little ones, he will 

 follow the example. 



The pious and excellent Dr. Watts has 

 borne testimony to the harmony of the early 

 condition of these birds : 



" Birds in their little nests agree." 



But it is well the worthy Doctor stopped 

 here ; for no sooner have the young of the 

 canary scrambled from their cradle, than 

 they fight like young harpies. 



Up to the twelfth day the young are 

 almost destitute of feathers, and need the 

 warmth of their mother's wing; and it is 

 sometimes the case, especially in cold, dry 

 seasons, that they never become properly 



