ORDER PASSERES. 



291 



of deer, Avliich has not been employed for any other purpose, 

 moss, divided cotton, flax, dog's-grass, and a little dry and 

 fine hay. Of these materials, there are scarcely more than 

 two of which they can make use with advantage — the fine 

 hay, to make the body of the nest, and a little moss, dried in 

 the sun. "When the nest is made, you may give them a pinch 

 of deer's hair, but only during the first brood, because the 

 heat is then not considerable ; but this material must be 

 avoided afterwards. This hair is too heating, and will make 

 the female sweat, and suffocate the young, when they are just 

 bom. If the cotton and flax be not cut very finely, they are 

 apt to embarrass the feet of the hatching bird ; and if she 

 rises with vivacity, she may carry off the eggs and nest along 

 with her. Some use a sort of dogVgrass, which is a 

 very proper material for the construction of the nest. The 

 finest must be chosen, and well cleared of dust ; it is best 

 to wash it, and dry it in the sun, then cut and scatter it in 

 the cage. The dog's-grass alone will be sufficient, and will 

 give the nest a form and solidity not to be expected from 

 other materials. Besides, the same will serve for several 

 times: it only wants to be washed in boiling water, every 

 time it is to be used. 



Three kinds of little balls or baskets are given to the 

 canaries as receptacles for their nests — of osier, of wood, and 

 of clay. The first should be preferred, but it should 

 not be too large ; the two others heat the female too 

 much. The nest, too, made in the wood, holds badly, 

 and the male or female often drag it away with their 

 claws, break the eggs, or overturn the young. But one 

 pannier at a time is given to them, for if they receive two, they 

 sometimes carry the materials into one, sometimes into ano-^ 

 ther, and amuse themselves for some time before they seriously 

 begin to make the nest. About ten days after the birth of 

 the young, they may receive the second, which should be 



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