SONG BIRDS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



of the breeds of Canaries, which can be easily dis- 

 tinguished. Canary birds are very prolific, and 

 sometimes breed all the year round ; but they most 

 usually begin to pair in April, and to breed in June 

 and August. 



A small breeding cage is all that is required for 

 rearing these birds ; but where a room can be 

 allotted to the purpose, it ought to have shrubs for 

 them to roost and build upon, with plenty of water 

 to drink and bathe in, that being indispensable for 

 all birds. The floor of the apartment ought to 

 be strewed with sand or white gravel, and on that 

 should be thrown groundsel, chickweed, or scalded 

 rape-seed ; but when breeding, they should have 

 nothing but hard chopped eggs, dry bread, cake 

 without salt, and once in two or three days a few 

 poppy-seeds. Some bird-fanciers give their breed- 

 ing birds plantain and lettuce-seed ; but this 

 should be done sparingly, and only for two days 

 together, lest it should weaken them 



About the 15th of April they ought to be fur- 

 nished with flax, soft hay, wool, hair, moss, and 

 other dry materials, for building the nest, which 

 usually occupies three days : but when the hen has 

 sat eight or nine days, it is necessary to examine 

 the eggs, holding them carefully by the ends against 

 the sun or a lighted candle, and to throw away the 

 clear ones. Some bird-fanciers substitute an ivory 

 egg until the last is laid ; when the real ones are 

 replaced, that they may be hatched at the same 

 time. The female lays five or six eggs. When 

 the young are to be reared by the stick, they must 



