2i6 Canaries and Cage-Birds. 



removed from the door those left standing ready for a hop will, as often as not, remain in the 

 doorway, never thinking of escaping into the room. We do not put this as an extreme case, but 

 simply to show how different is their action from that of birds unaccustomed to this quiet training, 

 and which, in the fright consequent on being caught by the hand, would be as likely as not to 

 make a dart through any opening. There need be no hurry to close the door on a Belgian. If 

 one should happen to make a voyage of discovery into the room, his agitation at the novelty of the 

 situation will at once be apparent. Whether on the floor, or clinging to the wires of a cage, or on 

 any projection, never attempt to catch it. Approach quietly with an open cage, and it will soon 

 show how thoroughly these birds become the " slaves of the wand." 



A bird being thus familiarised with the process of "running" from cage to cage, the 

 most promising specimens should be isolated in cages of a pattern similar to that in which 

 it is intended they shall be exhibited. When he is required to be put on his mettle, a 

 Belgian does not want to have his attention distracted by surroundings to which he is un- 

 accustomed, but should feel thoroughly at home ; and the homely-looking four-post-bed-pattern 

 cage shown in Fig. 56, which is from a sketch "taken on the spot," is the orthodox 

 article in which he best puts forth all his beauties. It is of rather primitive construction, 

 and, one would think, might be made a trifle lighter and more elegant ; but it reigns 

 throughout Belgium, and has long been identified with the bird. The legs are really so 

 many handles by which the cage is lifted and turned about, for it is against all rule to 

 touch the top of the cage, which has the effect of frightening the bird. A Belgian fancier 

 can almost be told by the way he handles a cage, in doing which there is as much skill shown 

 as in manipulating with a Scotch Fancy. The perch, which is omitted in the sketch, usually 

 rests on the upper framework, throwing the bird well up into the dome, and is of substantial 

 construction, affording the bird a secure stand. In such cages the birds should be hung 

 against the wall of the room and receive daily attention, both to accustom them to frequent 

 handling, and that the development of gradually maturing " position " properties may be noted 

 and encouraged. There is a wide difference in the dispositions and temperament of Belgians, 

 as we showed in our remarks on the various types. Excessive nervous sensibility 

 must be treated with great caution, and a sluggish, lethargic disposition roused to the 

 utmost. Under any circumstances every bird should be encouraged and e.xcited to do its 

 best, for the exhibitor who wishes his birds to acquit themselves satisfactorily in public 

 should familiarise them with show usages at home. A Game fowl or Bantam taken up 

 from a walk and whisked off to a show has small chance against one which has been put 

 through its paces for some time in the home pens, and many an exhibitor who has 

 neglected to continue periodical lessons on deportment and company-manners has had 

 the luxury of seeing himself beaten by, perhaps, inferior birds from the same yard from 

 which his own were taken. And it is just so with Belgian Canaries. And what is all this 

 but "training?" We are quite prepared for the question, and reply that it entirely depends 

 on the meaning attached to the word. If we are to understand it as meaning teaching, in 

 the sense of teaching a trick foreign to natural habits, we say that in this sense the idea of 

 "training" is in no way connected with the exhibition of "position" made by a Belgian, any 

 more than among pigeons it has to do with the expansion of the crop of a Pouter or the 

 proud strut of a Fantail. But if it means the drawing out and cultivation of native features 

 by judicious treatment, we say that the most careful " training " of this kind is the legitimate 

 sphere of the Belgian fancier. Those who think that the performance of the "postuur 

 vogel " is on a par with that of the bird which balances itself on a tight-rope, fires a little 



