THE CANARY. 19 



of colour, not only on his cap, but through- 

 out the whole bird, being of a much stronger 

 orange than the female, and this holds good 

 in regard to foreign as well as English 

 birds, and may be considered as a safe 

 criterion to go by; many breeders indeed 

 can tell the cock from the hen before they 

 have left the nest, by the superior colour 

 which the young male bird shows to the 

 female. 



DISEASES. 



In treating of this part of the management 

 of canary birds, I shall first consider the 

 disorders to which the hen is subject, whilst 

 in the breeding cage. 



When the hen has built her nest, she 

 is often observed to appear thick and 

 heavy, in which case she is breeding her 

 egg, and ought to have a little bread and 

 milk, and a few oatmeal grits : I have 

 always found that this has afforded great 

 relief. The grits may be given every day 

 whilst she is laying, as it keeps her 

 in fine condition, though the bread and 



