SEEDS— THEIR USES 121 



Although it is so rich in oil, I have never experienced 

 any evil effects from its use, and for keeping birds in good 

 health and full song there is no seed to equal it. Its 

 greatest value to the canary breeder, though, is the won- 

 derful way in which it acts upon his breeding hens. It is 

 a splendid preventive of egg-binding, owing to its grand 

 lubricating properties. By its regular use the ovaries 

 and egg passages are kept in a most healthy condition. 



There are other seeds given to canaries by some fanciers, 

 but those I have dealt with here are all that are really 

 needful. Any others such as thistle, teazle and lettuce 

 are given more as tit-bits, and are not of practical service, 

 anyone wishing to give his birds a treat may buy a packet 

 of Linnet or Goldfinch mixed seeds and this will serve 

 his purpose. 



