Washing Canaries and Mules. 



277 



used as a " drying " cage, and must have the bottom covered over with clean flannel or 

 some handy woollen article ; this is placed where a good heat from the fire can reach it. 

 The mistress of the house — previously propitiated as aforesaid, or otherwise — must be asked 

 for a few clean and soft cloths — clean and soft, mind. And lastly, you must get from the 

 same or other source three good-sized basins. Heavy washing-basins are very suitable for the 

 purpose, as being less easily overturned ; but better than all are the round white pans to be had 

 in some parts of England, the same size at bottom as at top : these, when procurable, are not 

 only impossible to overturn, but without occupying any more room hold double the water, which 

 consequently keeps cleaner and needs less attention. 



The first basin or pan should be half filled with water milk-warm, or lukewarm. Dissolve 

 in it a bit of clean soda the size of a nut (much must not be used), and then taking in one hand 

 a piece of good yellow or white saap, and in the other a badger-hair or other soft shaving-brush, 



alternately dip in the water and rub over the soap, till you have a basinful of good suds. Half 

 fill the other basins with warm water, full blood-heat, but not more : if you have a thermometer 

 you may keep it at 90°. The soap must also be placed handy ; and it is a good plan to bed 

 it in the soap-dish with flannel, so that it may not slip about while the brush is passed over it. 

 With these preparations you are ready to begin. 



Take your first bird and place it along the palm of the left hand, as in Fig. 62, the head 

 towards the wrist, and the tail projecting between the thumb and forefinger, while the other 

 fingers hold the bird lightly but firmly, the little finger securing the head, and the others the 

 shoulder or side of the wing. It will be readily found that in this position the bird can be 

 held lightly yet with perfect security, and that the position of its body can be changed at 

 convenience, according as the back or sides are being done. Immerse all but just the head 

 in the suds for a few seconds, whilst the lather-brush is being plied with telegraphic speed 

 over the soap ; and as soon as a good free lather is obtained in the brush, lift the bird out, remove 

 the thumb or second finger out of the way, and wash well with the brush the lower part of the 



