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KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



this way, — yet have we received such " re- 

 compense " for our pains, that we are now 

 inexorable. We have hitherto viewed human 

 nature as it ought to be, — we regret to find it 

 what it is. Mr. John Tuthill, of Edin- 

 burgh, whose dirty conduct we have chro- 

 nicled at page 286 of our Journal, has 

 once and for ever cured us of our besetting 

 " weakness." By the way, speaking of this 

 individual, he refuses even to return the bird 

 for which he has not paid, although we have 

 entreated him to do so. The bird was a 

 very elegant little creature ; and such an 

 especial " pet " with his first mistress, that 

 we have been anxious to get him back, even 

 at a further sacrifice. So much for " a gen- 

 tleman of the Medical Profession ! " 



The principal time for the arrival of 

 canaries from Norfolk and Yorkshire, is just 

 before Christmas. They are then sent up 

 in vast quantities, and are, for the most 

 part, lively, healthy, and in good song. 

 With the knowledge of this fact, it will be 

 desirable to call from time to time at the 

 dealers, and purchase your birds before their 

 sweet voices shall have been contaminated 

 by foul contact with the parrots, macaws, 

 pugs, poodles, &c, as aforesaid. We often 

 marvel what sort of people those can be 

 who select such animals as these for their 

 constant associates ! Mais chacun a son gout! 



The reason why we have recommended 

 all hens intended for the nursery, to be at 

 least two years old, is this : — It often hap- 

 pens that young, and consequently inex- 

 perienced birds, lay their eggs irregularly, 

 and when laid, they will sit for a few hours 

 only, and then incontinently desert them — 

 preferring, naturally enough, the company 

 of their playfellows to the heavier cares in- 

 separable from incubation. All "this ends in 

 disappointment, and therefore it is better to 

 run no such risks. 



Whenever you observe these acts of neg- 

 lect, and want of motherly feeling, take it 

 for granted that the birds are perfectly un- 

 fitted for the purpose of breeding, and re- 

 move them at once. You will then intro- 

 duce others, older and less giddy, in their 

 places. They will speedily find mates after 

 the month of April, especially if a little 

 bruised hempseed be scattered on the floor. 



To enable you readily to catch any bird 

 you may require, procure a circular hoop- 

 net, of strong string. This should be made 

 deep, and fastened on a circle of stout wire ; 

 the whole being affixed to a wooden pole three 

 feet six inches in length. The bird may 

 then be secured without the slightest fear of 

 any injury to the plumage. A quick eye, 

 and a skilful movement of the hand (to be 

 acquired by practice), will enable you to 

 make a prisoner of any one of the inmates in 

 a few seconds. 



Canaries have, on the average, three 

 broods a-year; some, however, will go to 

 nest four, and even five times a-year, if per- 

 mitted. It is unwise to be thus covetous ; 

 for the parents are weakened by so much 

 close confinement, and the later offspring 

 are seldom healthy. 



When your canaries have laid their eggs, 

 they are subject to constipation, and should 

 have speedy relief.* This is best afforded 

 by the introduction of plantain and lettuce 

 seed, for about a couple of days. This, how- 

 ever, should be given sparingly when there 

 are any young birds in the room, as it is quite 

 unsuited to their tender stomachs ; as also 

 are chick-weed, and other kinds of green 

 meat. 



On the thirteenth day after sitting (in the 

 heat of summer, on the twelfth), the hen 

 commences the process of " hatching." It 

 is therefore needful always to provide in 

 readiness, whether wanted or not, the pro- 

 per food for the young nestlings. This con- 

 sists of rape seed, well scalded, a piece of 

 French roll, dipped in cold water, and after- 

 wards well squeezed ; and the yolk of an 

 egg, boiled hard. This must form a paste, 

 neither too solid nor too thin. It must be 

 fresh made, twice daily. If allowed to get 

 sour, the nestlings will assuredly die. The 

 male usually plays " first fiddle " in feeding 

 the young. The mother assists only. She 

 feels she has need of repose after her toils, 

 and strives, reasonably enough, to enjoy the 

 otium cum dignitate. She is quite to be 

 commended. 



If the young birds are not affectionately 

 tended by their parents, and it be deemed 

 advisable to feed them by hand, remove 

 them, in the nest, when eight days old. Dip 

 the end of a short, pointed stick, into the 

 food ; and having taken up a small quantity, 

 introduce it into each of the birds' open 

 mouths. Continue this operation every 

 hour, until the birds feed themselves, which 

 they will soon do. Occasionally, hold the 

 stick quiet, and you will observe that they 

 recognise its use. They will peck at it, and 

 tasting the food, they will, like the genus 

 homo, be apt scholars in " finding the way 

 to their mouth." 



No young birds should ever be removed, 

 when carefully nursed by their parents, 

 until they are at least five weeks old, and 

 their food should be changed very gradually. 

 They should then be placed in separate 

 cages, and kept in a warm room, where there 

 is a fine, steady, song-bird, ready to act the 



* Hen canaries, particularly young ones, are 

 oftentimes " egg-bound,'' and if not carefully at- 

 tended to, will die. For directions how to act 

 under such circumstances, and also for directions 

 how to prevent your birds laying u soft eggs" 

 see page 298. 



