S(M CLASS AVES. 



moulting, which is the cause of their languor and disgust to 

 food. 



The quality of the seeds given to canaries should be at- 

 tended to. Under the name of rapeseed, many little grains 

 are confounded, some of which are pernicious. The best rape- 

 seed is of a violet colour, neither too young nor too old, and 

 without any bitterness. As for millet, the whitest is the best, 

 but it should not be given too abundantly, as it may make 

 the birds too fat, and overheat them. Hempseed should be 

 of a silver grey, and the smallest is the best. This also should 

 be given sparingly to canaries, except in the depth of winter. 

 Grass-seed, or what is called canary-seed, is the natural food 

 of these birds in their own country. It should not, however, 

 be given alone, or in large quantities, but mixed in small pro- 

 portions with rapeseed. Lettuce-seed is occasionally whole- 

 some, and causes evacuation. Plantain is also nutritive and 

 stimulant, but should only be given from time to time. Oats 

 are sometimes used, but it should be seldom ; they are heat- 

 ing, and may even suffocate. 



A word on the artificial education of canaries. The bird 

 intended to be taught by the flageolet, or bird organ, should 

 be placed apart by himself eight or ten days after he begins 

 to eat alone and warble, which is a certain sign that it is a 

 male. He must also be in good health. For the first eight 

 days he should be kept in a cage, covered with muslin ; he is 

 then placed in a chamber, where he cannot possibly hear any 

 other bird. If a flageolet be used, the tones should not be 

 too high. Fifteen days after this, the clear muslin is changed 

 for green or red serge, very thick, and he is left in this situar- 

 tion, until he learns his lesson perfectly. He should be sup- 

 plied with two days'* provisions at a time, and only at night, 

 to prevent his attention from being distracted. A prelude, 

 and a single well-selected air, are sufficient. A greater num- 

 ber, or too long a time, fatigue the memory. All tliese birds 



