64 



Canaries and Cage-Birds. 



them there as long as possible, snug and comfortable, and well cared for. Extreme care 

 is necessary at the last, when a startled sort of restlessness pervades the nest. So long as 

 they squat and keep their heads well down, there is not much to fear ; but as soon as one 

 youngster, more venturesome than the rest, lifts up his head and turns himself round, you may look 

 out for a jump. When one goes they had better all go, for they will still stick to each other a little 

 longer, and, acting in concert, may even determine to return to the nest at night. But a single 

 young one, if he persists in refusing to return to the bosom of his family, fares rather ill the first 

 day or two of his liberty, and it is best to take every precaution to prevent premature flight. 



FIG. 30. — NURSERY-CAGE IN POSITION. 



which ought not to take place till the birds are nearly three weeks old, by which time they 

 will be almost as large as their parents. 



We are exceedingly loth to hint at the possibility of any more misfortunes, but by the time 

 the young ones have reached this age it is more than probable the hen will begin to show 

 indications of wishing to sit again — an event which can scarcely be looked on in the light of a 

 misfortune, but which requires nicely managing. Sometimes she will lay in her old nest, depositing 

 her eggs among the young birds, who will not injure them, although there may be as many as twenty- 

 four or thirty sharp little claws in the nest. Under any circumstances it is advisable to supply her 

 with a second nesting-box, which may be suspended on the side of the cage, opposite the partition 

 door, or if there be room at the back it can be placed there, bearing in mind that as the perches 

 are all movable, they can be removed at will to suit the new arrangement, or additional ones 

 brought into use. It may be that the building fever may not be very strong, and the hen may be 

 contented to take such accommodation as is offered, but a small portion of new, clear stuff should 

 invariably be furnished, as its presence may be the means of giving her employment at a time 



