ORDER PASSERES. '-^89 



a large aviary may be formed by joining them together, and 

 opening all the doors of communication. The birds also, by 

 being thus discovered, become more familiar, and are secured 

 from many little accidents which might occur to them in 

 more obscure places. 



The time for the first nestling should never be hurried. 

 It is usual to allow these birds to couple about the 20th or 

 25th of March, and even sooner, but it is better to wait 

 until the middle of April ; for when they are put together 

 in a cold place, they often grow disgusted with one another ; 

 and if by chance the females have eggs they abandon them, 

 unless the season grows warmer : then an entire breed is lost 

 by hurry and impatience. 



In pairing them, you put at first a male and female in a 

 small cage, which suits them better than a large one, as they 

 will sooner form in it an intimate acquaintance. They 

 should be left there eight or ten days, and then you will 

 know whether they agree together. After fighting, which 

 usually takes place between them during the first day or so 

 of their domiciliation, they will be seen to form a friendship, 

 by picking gently with their bills. You then transfer them 

 to the breeding cage which is destined for them, and which 

 is provided with every thing needful for their little house- 

 hold. Although these birds will hatch in any situation in 

 which their domicile is placed, its best position is facing the 

 east. The father and mother are more lively and in better 

 health ; and the little ones profit more in one day in this 

 aspect, than in two in any other. A southern or western 

 aspect heats their head, engenders a quantity of mites, and 

 makes the females sweat, and suffocate their progeny. That 

 of the north is prejudicial, for even in summer the wind 

 which blows from this point causes death to the new-bom 

 young, and even to the old. An obscure place renders them 

 melancholy, and gives rise to abscesses which destroy them. 



VOL. VII. u 



