70 CANARIES 



young a lew days prior to their leaving the nest. Care 

 must be taken to see that the ring is closed in such a 

 manner that it retains its circular shape, and also that 

 the two ends meet accurately. Otherwise the bird may 

 be caused extreme pain and annoyance. 



Fig. B. — Gib pattern open ring. The remarks made 

 regarding Fig. A apply here also. The gibs, however, 

 are a decided improvement, and greatly simplify the 

 operation of either fixing or removing. With care this 

 kind of ring may be used time and again. 



Fig. C. — The closed ring. This type of ring is a general 

 favourite. It is the accepted " hall mark " in Canarydom, 

 and thousands are issued annually by clubs and societies ; 

 these rings bear year, number and an indication of the 

 Society issuing them. 



The putting on of the closed ring is one of the little 

 jobs that the beginner baulks at. His first attempt 

 leaves him with the impression that his hands are too big, 

 and also too few. The feat, however, is not so difficult 

 as the impressions of first ventures would lead one to 

 believe. 



Close rings must be put on before the foot of the bird 

 is anything like full grown. In different varieties the 

 day is different. Norwich, Crests and Yorkshires are 

 ready about the sixth or seventh day, while Rollers, 

 Borders, etc , may be left a couple of days longer. A 

 difference in the size of the rings may also make a difference 

 of a day or so in the time of ringing Allowances must 

 also be made for birds that have not been properly grown 

 through lack of nourishment. Don't lose any sleep over 

 the size of the feet of youngsters that are coming on ex- 

 ceptionally well, for, strange to say, the foot of the well- 

 developed bird is seldom larger than that of the everyday 

 one. 



How To Fix The Rings. 



Provided the day has arrived, place a well-dried and 

 disinfected nest on the birdroom table, and lay at hand 

 the number of rings required. Bring out the nest of 

 youngsters Take up one of the birds in the left hand, 

 holding it with its leg outwards, between the forefinger 

 and thumb. 



