upon the proportion of the sexes produced hy Canaries. 203 
Conditions under which birds were kept. 
A’s birds were kept in a room facing N. and E., heated by a fire 
when necessary. In winter the temperature might go down to 
freezing point ; in spring, during breeding time, down to 45° on 
cold nights. During the day in spring it was usually from 55° to 
60°, in summer from 70° to 80°. 
There was always a plentiful supply of canary seed in the 
hoppers ; and hemp, rape, and maw seeds, hard boiled egg and 
biscuit crumb, and green food, was also given in plenty. 
With the exception of 2 cocks, which were not hardy, all birds 
were strong and healthy. 
The dates of hatching — taking all years collectively — were as 
follows: 19 - 72% of the nests in April, 29 , 58°/ 0 in May, 2817 % 
in June, 2112 % in July, and T41°/ 0 in August. 
The cocks fail in vigour and commence to moult earlier, 
generally at least a month earlier, than the hens; counting each 
bird separately each year, 15 cocks moulted in July and 4 in 
August. Of the hens, 2 moulted in July, 12 in August, 5 in 
September, and 1 in October. 
During 1893 A made an experiment with regard to food. 
Less hard food of all kinds was given, no hard boiled egg at all, 
and plenty of green food. 
This is the only year in which As produce shows an excess of 
cocks ; viz. at the rate of 150 cocks per 100 hens, with a loss of 
40 c / 0 of the eggs laid. 
Among the birds used for breeding this year were a pair of 
birds obtained from G. They made 3 nests, laid 15 eggs, and 
reared 5 cocks and 3 hens, a total of 8 chicks. It is to be noted, 
however, that two pairs of A p s own birds this year reared 8 cocks 
and 3 hens, a total of 11 chicks, out of 15 eggs. 
G’s birds were kept in a room facing S., heated by hot water 
pipes when necessary. In winter the temperature might go down 
to freezing point, in summer up to 100°. During the breeding 
time it was kept regularly at 60°. 
Similar food was given, but these birds were not so plentifully 
fed as A’s birds, and care was especially taken to avoid over- 
feeding. Green food was supplied in plenty. 
All the birds were strong and healthy. 
The dates of hatching were as follows : 25°/ 0 in April, 35 °/ 0 
in May, 30°/ o in June, and 10% in July. 
One bird moulted exceptionally early, in May, 7 in July, and 4 
in August. There was not such a marked difference between the 
dates of moulting of cocks and hens as in A r ’s aviary. 
One pair of these birds, obtained from A, made 3 nests, laid 12 
eggs, and produced 9 cocks and 1 hen, a total of 10 chicks. The 
14—2 
