The Canary Birds 
rooms, but sudden changes are to be avoided. It is 
well to keep the cage floor covered with sand; at 
least sand should always be present in the cage, and 
accessible. If sand is spread over the floor it should 
be renewed twice a week. Many people put paper 
on the cage floor as it is easily removed and replaced. 
FOOD 
The standard canary food is a mixture of the seeds 
of canary grass, millet, rape and hemp, but the seeds 
of many grasses that grow as weeds 
in our rich gardens are relished; and 
these may be gathered in the late 
summer for occasional use in the 
winter. A little green food should 
be given every day, such as chickweed, 
lettuce and tender grass, and especially 
the green seed stalks of common 
plantain may be given in summer; in 
winter, sweet apples, a section of 
orange, a slice of raw potato, or car- 
rot, or a leaf of cabbage is acceptable. 
A bit of dry bread, or sometimes bread 
vHE BeLgiam Soaked in milk, is eaten eagerly for 
variety. Green foliage with plant lice 
on it is an especial treat to a canary. Grit of some 
sort must be kept constantly accessible. Canary 
bird grit may be bought at the food stores. A piece 
of cuttle-fish bone should always be kept within reach 
of the bird to aid digestion, and also to keep the beak 
from growing too long, and out of shape. Lump 
sugar should not be given. 
Be very careful to get the seed of the summer 
rape—which is a small, round, reddish seed. Mustard 
seed, which is larger and black, is not acceptable. 
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