2 76 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



WASHING AND EXHIBITING CANARIES AND MULES. 



(FROM NOTES BY MR. BEXSON AND MR. EVANS.) 



Whether or not cleanliness be next to godliness in general, it has very much to do 

 with success in exhibiting, and hence most birds have to be washed more or less before 

 being shown. Many a good bird has lost a fair chance because its toilet had not been 

 properly attended to; but none the less the necessity for "tubbing" must be considered an 

 evil. A few country fanciers, who reside in those sweet villages a few of which are 

 still left to old England, are exempt from the necessity, since birds will keep themselves 

 clean enough in pure air if properly attended to. We have seen many Canaries in such 

 places which needed no more than a " blow " or a natural bath to surpass in brightness and 

 bloom all that the best washing could do for those bred — say in Manchester. Most 

 Canaries, however, are town-bred ; and such must be washed occasionally to have a chance 

 of success, though one good washing will often suffice for more than one show. The evil 

 of too frequent washing is a kind of giving way of the feathers, which might almost be 

 called a rubbing-out, and which is very apt to display itself about the back of the neck 

 especially. By these or similar signs a bird which has been subjected to much tubbing 

 can often be recognised at good shows. In spite of all this, however, washing being a 

 necessary evil, let us see how it may be made the best of 



We have long ere this hinted at the propriety of engaging the approval and more or 

 less active sympathies of one's "better half" respecting all experiments and adventures in 

 Canarydom ; and now that the final stage is approached, this is more than ever necessary, 

 since her own domain is almost necessarily invaded. If breeding, and rearing, and 

 moulting have been successfully surmounted, it will be strange if hopes and sympathies are 

 not excited by this time as to the ultimate result ; and judicious hints as to a new silk 

 dress in case the long-cherished pets do win, may have happy effects. Some such encourage- 

 ment is indeed sorely needed at this stage ; for if the ordeal of washing has to be gone 

 through now for the first time, faith is apt to experience a severe shock during certain stages 

 of the process. First of all, before operations are commenced, if there are children in 

 the house it will generally be best to see them safely to bed. There are some little 

 treasures, born fanciers, who know how to abide still as mice until need arises, when a little 

 hand will pass a warm cloth or other necessary, neither one moment too soon nor too late — 

 no one would think of sending them to bed. But average children are sadly in the way, 

 and all the space by the fire is badly wanted. Moreover, washing a small bird requires 

 care, and chatter by no means assists the process. While this is being managed, then, 

 let a good fire, free from ash and dust, be made up, and some large vessel full of hot 

 water placed upon the hob so as to keep simmering. Boiling is not necessary, but if 

 many birds are to be done, plenty of hot water will be wanted through the evening. An 

 open wire cage should have previously had a thorough washing for the occasion, to be 



