CANARIES 213 



in a ruined season, whereas if mating is delayed until the 

 weather is more seasonable results are certain to be more 

 satisfactory. 



Canaries are naturally monogamous, and ordinarily 

 breed in pairs, although under the conditions of an aviary 

 this rule is not always adhered to. Some breeders, for one 

 reason or another, make a practice of mating a cock with 

 two hens. This can be accomplished, but some skill in 

 handling is necessary, as in most cases the hens must be kept 

 separate. 



Cocks and hens should, of course, be kept apart until 

 the breeding season begins. When it has been decided to 

 pair them, the cock and hen to be matched should be intro- 

 duced to the breeding cage. There is generally some little 

 quarreling at first, but this is soon over and the birds quickly 

 settle down to the business of life. Very occasionally indi- 

 viduals will be found which will not agree, and in such 

 cases the cage may be divided with a wire partition until 

 they have changed their minds. Ordinarily this partition 

 is not necessary. 



At this time egg food, which consists of about equal parts 

 of grated hard-boiled egg and biscuit, bread or zwieback 

 crumbled together, should be given daily in small quantities, 

 with an occasional pinch of poppy or maw seed. Of course 

 the usual seed must also be continued. 



Building will soon begin, and as soon as the nest is com- 

 plete the first egg may be looked for. The hen usually ap- 

 pears very ill and rough in plumage just before laying, but 

 this need not occasion alarm. However, if the egg is not 

 deposited by the following day, help must be given quickly. 

 A few drops of warm olive oil, inserted in the vent with a 

 medicine dropper, often will bring relief. If this fails, 

 holding the bird over steam, of course being careful to 

 avoid scalding, will almost invariably produce the desired 



